Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition—it’s a chronic immune-related disorder that causes widespread inflammation throughout the body. While it’s best known for red, scaly skin patches, psoriasis can also affect internal organs. Research has already shown that people with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing end-stage kidney disease (ESRD), which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant. However, scientists are now asking the question: Could having psoriasis also increase the risk of kidney transplant failure?*

Study Design and Patient Data

To investigate this, researchers conducted a retrospective study using the United States Renal Data System. They looked at patients aged 18–100 who received a kidney transplant between 2004 and 2019. Out of over 151,000 transplant patients, about 1,100 had been diagnosed with psoriasis before their surgery. 

The study compared transplant outcomes between patients with and without psoriasis, focusing on graft failure—when the transplanted kidney stops working—occurring more than two weeks after the operation.

Findings and What They Mean

Using several statistical tools, the researchers found that:

• Patients with psoriasis were significantly more likely to experience transplant failure, even after adjusting for factors like: 
  • Age,  
  • Gender, and 
  • Concurrent health conditions. 

According to the study authors, this suggests that the chronic inflammation caused by psoriasis may continue to affect the body even after a successful kidney transplant.

Psoriasis may play a role in the long-term health of transplanted kidneys. Though more research is needed, these findings highlight the importance of closely monitoring transplant patients with psoriasis and considering the increased risk when planning post-transplant care.

If you have a history of psoriasis and are considering a kidney transplant, let your healthcare team know your complete medical history.

*Agrawal, R., Waller, J. L., Baer, S. L., Bollag, W. B. (2025, March 26). Psoriaisis associates with increased risk for kidney transplant rejection. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40145136/#:~ 

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