Smoking tied to higher psoriasis risk

February 2, 2012 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Adding to the list of possible health consequences from smoking, a large study suggests that smokers have an increased risk of developing the chronic skin condition psoriasis.

Heart disease more likely in people with psoriasis

January 10, 2012 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who suffer from psoriasis may want to pay extra attention to heart risks, according to a new study that found they are at a greater risk for blocked arteries than those who don't have the skin disease.

No major heart risk seen in new psoriasis drugs

August 23, 2011 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - A new, highly effective class of psoriasis drugs did not appear to raise the risk of heart problems in a review of published studies, but the analysis may not have been big enough to detect rare cases, U.S. researchers said.

Abbott psoriasis drug succeeds in pivotal trial

October 11, 2010 — NEW York (Reuters) - Abbott Laboratories' experimental psoriasis treatment briakinumab, which is awaiting U.S. and European approval decisions, demonstrated superior skin clearance rates compared with a commonly used medicine in a pivotal late-stage clinical trial, the company said on Monday.

Vitamin D not behind UVB's psoriasis benefit

August 17, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Ultraviolet light therapy lessens the symptoms of psoriasis and simultaneously raises vitamin D levels, a new study shows. However, increased vitamin D is probably unrelated to light therapy's benefits for psoriasis, the researchers say.

Psoriasis tied to depression, suicide

August 16, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with the skin condition psoriasis are more likely to be depressed, anxious and thinking about suicide, than those without the problem, according to a new study of British adults.

Severe form of psoriasis ups heart disease risk

January 18, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with severe forms of the inflammatory skin disease psoriasis are more likely to die of heart-related causes and stroke than those without the condition, new research shows.

Psoriatic arthritis common in people with psoriasis

November 5, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - As many as 14 percent of people with psoriasis may also have psoriatic arthritis, research shows.

Psoriasis treatment may up cancer risk

July 16, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis may need life-long treatment with a variety of therapies to relieve symptoms of the scaly skin condition and research has shown that both traditional and newer therapies for psoriasis can increase patients' risk of certain cancers.

Psoriasis linked to strokes and death

June 16, 2009 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with psoriasis, a common scaly skin condition, are at increased risk for strokes, heart disease, and circulatory problems in the legs, new research shows.

Psoriasis linked to diabetes, hypertension

April 20, 2009 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - Women with psoriasis run a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, perhaps because of the underlying inflammation that causes the skin condition, researchers said on Monday.

Genentech withdraws psoriasis drug from US market

April 9, 2009 — LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Genentech Inc. announced Wednesday a phased voluntary withdrawal of psoriasis drug Raptiva from the U.S. market due to its link to a brain infection.

Indigo extract effective treatment for psoriasis

November 26, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taiwanese investigators report that an ointment made from an extract of Indigo naturalis is effective in treatment-resistant plaque psoriasis -- and the treatment appears to be safe.

FDA panel backs proposed J&J psoriasis drug

June 18, 2008 — SILVER SPRING, Maryland (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson's experimental drug ustekinumab should be approved for treating adults with moderate or severe psoriasis, a U.S. advisory panel unanimously ruled on Tuesday.

Immune drug useful for scalp psoriasis

May 1, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Alefacept, a drug that reduces the activity of certain immune cells, is effective in treating psoriasis of the scalp, according to a report in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.