More Than Skin Deep

Dermatologists have traditionally regarded psoriasis as a skin disease. In the past several years, however, a growing body of data has suggested that psoriasis is associated with systemic comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome and increased cardiovascular risk. Psoriasis, in both its skin and joint manifestations, represents a major healthcare issue as an indicator of a broader underlying disorder of systemic inflammation; therefore, more comprehensive studies should be conducted to evaluate the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and treatment of psoriasis in relation to comorbid conditions.