The impact of body mass index on the relationship between psoriasis and Osteopenia: a mediating analysis based on NHANES (2003-2006).

The relationship between psoriasis and osteopenia remains undetermined. Patients with psoriasis tend to have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to those without the condition. While it appears plausible that BMI could mediate this association, further study is required to confirm this hypothesis. The objective of this study is to ascertain whether BMI plays a role in influencing the impact of psoriasis on osteopenia. This study encompassed 2,624 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2003 and 2006. The condition of psoriasis was self-reported, while osteopenia was assessed based on bone mineral density (BMD) range and self-reported osteoporosis. BMI was derived from NHANES body measurement data. Weighted logistic regression analyses and mediation analysis were utilized to elucidate the relationship. Subgroup differences were further explored in the absence of a clear relationship. A positive correlation was observed between psoriasis and osteopenia. Furthermore, BMI was positively related to psoriasis and negatively related to osteopenia. Additionally, BMI served as a mediator in the relationship between psoriasis and osteopenia, accounting for 20.8% of the variance. Specifically, the mediating influence of BMI exhibited variations based on diabetes status and gender. In conclusion, Controlling BMI could potentially mitigate the impact of psoriasis on osteopenia. Therefore, we advocate for a rigorous focus on bone health in individuals with psoriasis, particularly among males and non-diabetic populations.