Diet and lifestyle could increase the risk of psoriasis by 30 per cent


Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as certain foods and infections, may trigger onset of psoriasis and account for approximately 30% of the risk of the condition in people with a genetic preposition. Research presented at the Psoriasis: From Gene to Clinic International Congress in London on Friday identified some of these factors and the mechanism involved.

"The aim of our study was to get a better understanding of the factors at the molecular level that translate the genetic predisposition for psoriasis into the actual manifestation of the disease. Essentially, why do only some of the people who have a genetic tendency towards psoriasis have it, whilst others don't? Our results show that lifestyle factors may be important," said Dr. Jorg Prinz, from the Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich.

The identification of potential triggers may help to develop strategies for psoriasis prevention in individual patients.