The Association Between Psoriasis, Psoriasis Severity, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Population-based Analysis

Background: The skin-gut axis, characterized by bidirectional communication between the skin and gut, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Objectives: We aimed to explore the association between psoriasis and IBD and identify predictors associated with IBD development among patients with psoriasis.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: A retrospective study which utilized an electronic database from the Meuhedet Health Maintenance Organization (MHMO) in Israel. Psoriasis was categorized as severe if any systemic agent or phototherapy was administered. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify specific predictors for IBD, with adjustments made for potential confounders. The study received approval from the Ethical Committee of the MHMO.

Results: In total, 61,003 adult patients who were diagnosed with psoriasis between 2000 and 2022 were included. Among them, 1495/61,003 patients (2.4%) were diagnosed with IBD, as compared to 3834/244,012 patients (1.6%) in the non-psoriasis group [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37-1.56;  < 0.001]. Increased age (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02;  < 0.001), male gender (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03-1.45;  = 0.024), and Jewish ethnicity (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2-4.1;  < 0.001) were identified as significant risk factors for IBD. Spondyloarthropathies, including psoriatic arthritis (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.86-2.77;  < 0.001) and ankylosing spondylitis (OR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.5-5.32;  < 0.05), were associated with a higher prevalence of IBD. Furthermore, severe psoriasis was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of IBD, compared to mild psoriasis (OR: 16.03; 95% CI: 11.02-23.34;  < 0.001).

Conclusion: A significant association between psoriasis and IBD was demonstrated, including its subtypes: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Moreover, such association may depend on psoriasis severity as determined by the treatment used. This association warrants further investigation and implies a potential need for closer monitoring of patients with severe psoriasis.