New Research Suggests That A Higher Sensitivity To Stress May Be Linked To The Onset Of Psoriasis, A Chronic Skin Condition
About 7.5 million people in the United States suffer from psoriasis, and the cause of this skin condition still isn’t fully understood.
However, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg suggests that your ability to manage stress may significantly influence your likelihood of developing psoriasis.
In fact, the researchers discovered that young men who were less resilient to stress were much more prone to experiencing chronic skin conditions in their later years.
The study specifically focused on young Swedish men who were enlisting in the military. The researchers analyzed the stress responses of 1.6 million Swedish military enlistees from 1968 to 2005.
Those with low-stress resilience were found to have a 31% higher risk of developing psoriasis compared to their highly stress-resilient counterparts.
This skin disease is characterized by itchy, scaly patches that often appear on the knees, elbows, torso, and scalp. In contrast to other minor skin issues, psoriasis is also a chronic condition with no cure.
Psoriasis typically flares up in cycles, causing symptoms for weeks or months before temporarily subsiding, according to the Mayo Clinic. While certain medications can help manage symptoms, doctors also advise patients to evaluate their lifestyle habits and come up with coping strategies to enhance their quality of life.
However, in this latest study, the team analyzed the psychological assessments that each man took prior to enlisting in the military. These examinations revealed that 20% of the men had low-stress resilience; meanwhile, 21% had high-stress resilience, and the rest were classified as having intermediate resilience.
Data from Sweden’s National Patient Register showed that 36,000 of these men eventually developed psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Men with low-stress resilience had a 31% higher risk of developing a skin disease in comparison to those with high resilience.
DimaBerlin – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Additionally, severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were strongly associated with stress. Men diagnosed with stress and low resilience were 79% more likely to develop psoriasis than those with high resilience.
Men in the low resilience group who experienced stress were also 53% more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis that affects people who have psoriasis. The primary symptoms are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, and can impact any body part – including the spine and fingertips.
The team highlighted how this research serves as the first study to connect stress sensitivity to the onset of psoriasis. They also suggested that inflammation may be a key factor at play, as previous research has demonstrated that stress frequently triggers an increased inflammatory response.
“We have shown that lower stress resilience in adolescence is a potential risk factor for psoriasis, at least for men. Our results suggest that those with psoriasis have a hereditary psychological sensitivity. It is, therefore, important that healthcare professionals also pay attention to the mental well-being of patients with psoriasis,” explained Marta Laskowski, the study’s lead author.
However, there were some limitations to this study. Mainly, the team’s observations only reflect a single point in an individual’s life. Additionally, other factors, such as smoking, can also increase a person’s risk of developing psoriasis.
“Stress resilience can vary throughout life. However, we have not had the opportunity to investigate these changes,” Laskowski concluded.
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology, visit the link here.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings