Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that can negatively affect a person’s quality of life. With symptoms such as rashes, itchiness, and pain, psoriasis is unpleasant and can even be crippling. Moreover, psoriasis has been associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Learn more about what research has discovered concerning psoriasis and CKD. 

What is the cause of psoriasis?

Psoriasis affects nearly 4.6% of people in the United States, and is most often seen in individuals between the ages of 50 and 69 years old. The precise cause is still unknown, though it’s thought to be an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks healthy cells. Genetics and family history may be contributors.  

Research suggests that stress, infections, and certain medications may also factor into the development of psoriasis. For this reason, many scientists believe that screening and treating long-term conditions like CKD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease may help to prevent and treat psoriasis. Studies also indicate that adults with psoriasis are more likely to develop CKD and end-stage kidney failure (ESKD).

How might psoriasis and CKD be related?

Researchers have discovered that patients with severe psoriasis had a tripled risk of ESKD and a double risk of CKD when compared to patients with psoriasis. While this isn’t fully understood, there are a couple of theories as to why this may happen. These includes:

• Immune system malfunctions, particularly autoimmune diseases, are often associated with psoriatic patients, and can lead to kidney damage. 
• Treatment for psoriasis may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can cause kidney problems over time if used frequently. 
• Psoriasis may increase inflammation in the body and the level of protein (albumin) in the urine, both of which increase the risk of developing CKD. 

Conventional and unconventional treatments 

Conventional first-line treatments for psoriasis tend to be topical, in the form of medicated creams, gels, shampoos, and the like. These are not recommended for everyone, however. Other options have included light therapy and systemic (oral or injected) medications. 

Interestingly, researchers have found dialysis, particularly peritoneal dialysis (PD), to be somewhat effective in treating psoriasis. One small study recruited three psoriasis patients who underwent 32 hours of PD per week for 10 weeks. They found that: 

• 80% of the lesions in two patients disappeared after receiving treatment 
• 50% of the lesions in the third patient also cleared up, but the lesions returned two months after treatment ended, according to the patient’s self-reported data

 According to the study authors, conventional psoriasis treatment is only treating skin-related symptoms. Since psoriasis is complex, treating the whole person when conventional treatment does not work may be the solution. 

Pandey, P. (2022, October 8). Effectiveness of Dialysis in Psoriasis: A Short Review. https://www.cureus.com/articles/113836-effectiveness-of-dialysis-in-psoriasis-a-short-review