Now, Another Reason to Advise Patients Not to Smoke

Smokers had increased rates of psoriasis, and even secondary exposure conveyed some increase in risk.

Smoking has been shown to encourage premature aging, worsen cutaneous lupus erythematosus or reduce the effectiveness of antimalarials for treating it, impair wound healing, and worsen Raynaud phenomenon and thrombophilic cutaneous conditions. Now, it appears that smoking also increases the risk for developing psoriasis.

Investigators recently mined the large database of the Nurses’ Health Study II to prospectively study the relation between obesity and psoriasis (Journal Watch Dermatology Aug 17 2007). The same group has now prospectively assessed the impact of smoking on psoriasis risk in women.

Compared with those who had never smoked, smokers had a 1.78 relative risk for developing psoriasis. The risk increased with increasing years of sm…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)