Alcohol as a Risk Factor for Plaque-Type Psoriasis

The association between alcohol and the development of plaque-type psoriasis is complex and confusing because many of the initial studies did not control for confounding factors such as tobacco use. This article presents a literature review of the epidemiologic, case-controlled, and clinical studies that examined the relationship between alcohol and plaque-type psoriasis. Early studies showed no correlation between alcohol consumption and plaque-type psoriasis. However, as researchers began to control for confounding factors, study results often illustrated a significant correlation between alcohol use and psoriasis. Some studies suggested a relative risk factor of 8.01, particularly in men. However, the studies did not document an increased risk for plaque-type psoriasis in women who drank alcohol. We recommend that clinicians discourage patients with psoriasis from consuming alcohol, especially during periods of disease exacerbation.