Epidemiological Profile of Psoriasis and Linked Comorbidities in Chinese Population at Shenzhen: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Only 19% of countries have epidemiological data on psoriasis while an increasing trend in psoriasis prevalence has been consistently reported. The aim of this study is to assess psoriasis epidemiological profile and associated co-morbidities in the largest immigrant city of Shenzhen in China.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter population-based cross-sectional study of 1000 patients from 13 hospitals with dermatology department localized in Shenzhen. Diagnosis of psoriasis was confirmed by experienced dermatologist after physical examination and additional screening as needed. Data were filled in an online form which was completed after scan of a QR code by every patient. Analysis with Excel and SPSS software included patients diagnosed with psoriasis from March 2022 to January 2023.

RESULTS

In total, there were 626 males and 374 females with an average age of 36.39 years. The mean Body mass index (BMI) was 27.0 ± 9.8 SD and high in males (28.18 ± 9.6 SD) compared to females (25.2 ± 9.8 SD) with a statistically significant difference ( < 0.001). Psoriatic patients (51.3%) had BMI higher than the Chinese population's normal range; 24.5% of patients being obese. Only 171 patients had a psoriasis family history (17.1%). The age of onset was between 11 and 40 years old, accounting for 80% of the total patients. About 36.7%, 37.1% and 26.2% cases present mild, moderate, and severe cutaneous conditions, respectively. Among the patients, 64.7% presented at least one kind of comorbidities, predominantly rheumatic diseases (48.7%), endocrine system diseases (29.8%) and nervous system diseases (24.4%). The proportion of comorbidities in the mild, moderate and severe groups was 59.9%, 59.0%, and 79.3% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Psoriasis is more common in young and middle-aged people. BMI in psoriatic population was higher compared to Chinese common population. More patients presented with moderate to severe psoriasis. More severe psoriasis carries more comorbidities.