Psoriasis affects the skin and the joints, and is prevalent in two to four percent of the general population. Other research has shown links between psoriasis and diabetes and heart disease, while studies on psoriasis and kidney disease have been small and offered conflicting results.
A research team from Philadelphia decided to compare the risk of chronic kidney disease in patients with and without psoriasis.
The researchers identified 143,883 patients with psoriasis who were matched with 689,702 controls. The team then analyzed patients who had a diagnosis of CKD based on tests between 2003 and 2010.
Researchers found that patients with psoriasis, especially with severe psoriasis, were at a higher risk of developing later stage kidney disease, compared to the control patients. Even after adjusting for other known risk factors, psoriasis remained an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease.
The researchers concluded, “Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings, determine the mechanisms mediating renal insufficiency in psoriasis, and examine the impact of treatment for psoriasis on the risk of chronic kidney disease.”
Psoriasis treatment and home remedies
There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatment options are available, aiming to stop skin cells from producing quickly in order to reduce inflammation and plaque formation, as well as to remove scales and smooth the skin, commonly done through topical treatments.
Topical treatments for psoriasis include topical corticosteroids, which work as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Although topical corticosteroids are an effective mode of treatment, they can cause thinning of the skin over time and as well as resistance to treatment. To reduce ineffectiveness and resistance to corticosteroids, it’s best to use this form of treatment during severe flare-ups.
Other topical treatments include vitamin D analogues, anthralin which is believed to normalize skin DNA activity, topical retinoids, calcineurin inhibitors, salicylic acid, coal tar, and moisturizers.
Aside from topical treatment, light therapy has been shown to offer relief for psoriasis, too. Sunlight, UVB phototherapy, narrow band UVB therapy, Goeckerman therapy, photochemotherapy, and eximer laser are all different forms of light therapy used to treat psoriasis.
Lastly, oral and injected medications are often used when a patient is resistant to other forms of treatment, but typically are administered for a short period of time and are often alternated with other forms of treatment as well.
Lifestyle and home remedies to treat psoriasis include:
- Taking daily baths
- Using moisturizer
- Exposing skin to small amounts of sunlight
- Avoiding psoriasis triggers, which can be stress, smoking, intense sun exposure, etc.
- Avoiding alcohol consumption.
Working with your doctor can help determine the best treatment plan for you. Furthermore, your doctor should closely monitor your kidney function as well in order to prevent any complications.
Related Reading:
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Link between psoriasis and risk of depression: Study
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Source:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131015191357.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/basics/treatment/con-20030838
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20030838