Overall cancer mortality and mortality for liver, esophageal, pancreatic cancer up with severe psoriasis
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk for developing or dying from cancer, according to a review published online Oct. 16 in JAMA Dermatology.
Alex M. Trafford, from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the risk for cancer incidence and mortality in people with psoriasis. Data were included from 58 unique studies.
The researchers observed a correlation for severe psoriasis and all severities of psoriasis with an increased risk for cancer overall (relative risks [RRs], 1.22 [nine studies] and 1.18 [seven studies], respectively); associations were also seen for site-specific cancers, including colon (RR, 1.18), colorectal (RR, 1.34), kidney (RR, 1.58), laryngeal (RR, 1.79), liver (RR, 1.83), lymphoma (RR, 1.40), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (RR, 1.28), keratinocyte cancers (RR, 1.71), esophageal (RR, 2.05), oral cavity (RR, 2.80), and pancreatic (RR, 1.41). Patients with severe psoriasis had an increased overall cancer mortality risk (RR, 1.22 [four studies]). In those with severe psoriasis, mortality from liver, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer was elevated (RRs, 1.43, 2.53, and 1.31, respectively). Despite stratification, the heterogeneity of estimates was often very high. In studies that adjusted estimates for smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, the risk was markedly attenuated.
“Understanding the role of lifestyle factors in any increased cancer risk remains challenging, but studies giving greater consideration of these factors would be of benefit,” the authors write.
Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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