Behçet disease (BD) is associated with psoriasis (PSO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) according to a recent study published in Scientific Reports. To investigate the link between BD and psoriatic disease, the study analyzed data on patients with BD, PSO, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea of approximately 1.1 million patients.
“Relative to non-BD individuals,” wrote the study authors, “those with personal history of BD were nearly three times more likely to be diagnosed with PSO.” Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for this association was 2.36 (95% CI, 1.91-2.93; P<.001). Men with BD had an elevated PSO risk (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.16-1.23; P<.001).
Additionally, patients with BD were 2 times likely to develop PsA, and individuals aged 65 years or older were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with BD after having PSO compared to those younger than 65 years. Individuals with BD and a healthy BMI were less at risk for PSO vs to the moderately obese (30-35 kg/m2) group (aOR = 1.24). In contrast to the case of psoriatic disease alone, women had a greater risk of being affected by BD than their male counterparts (aOR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.88-2.16; P<.001). However, coinciding with the PSO findings, older patients with BD were at a higher risk for PsA (aOR = 3.13; 95% CI, 2.90-3.40; P<.001).
These results not only emphasize that patients with BD are at an increased risk for PSO and PsA, but these risks are noticeable in male cohorts and older patients. These factors could be in relation to poor prognosis of BD in males and PSO in older patients.—Jessica Garlewicz
Reference
Hahn HJ, Kwak SG, Kim DK, Kim JY. Association of Behçet disease with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Sci Rep. Published January 28, 2021. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81972-4
