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Increased Physical Activity Promotes Skin Clearance, Improves Cardiovascular and Psychological Health, and Increases Functional Capacity in Patients with Psoriasis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background Patients with psoriasis are less physically active compared to age-matched controls, due to psoriasis-specific barriers, which significantly limits their ability to benefit from health-promoting levels of physical activity (PA). In addition, long-term health outcomes for people with psoriasis are poor and include depression, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD); presenting a significant challenge to healthcare services. Objectives We designed a PA intervention in partnership with patients with psoriasis hypothesising this may have therapeutic utility in the management of psoriasis. Methods Participants with chronic plaque psoriasis were recruited to a single-centre, 20-week, prospective cohort study. A wrist-worn accelerometer (GENEActiv Original; Activinsights Ltd) and a hip-worn pedometer (Onwalk 900; Decathlon Group) were used objectively measure levels of PA. Our 10-week PA intervention comprised twice weekly 60-min walks within three different greenspaces in Greater Manchester, each led by a Sports and Exercise Scientist to deliver a pre-specified volume/dose of activity. During weeks-11–20 of the study, participants followed independent activities. Clinical evaluation, including assessment of psoriasis severity, cardiometabolic parameters, psychological wellbeing and functional capacity was made at baseline, week-10 and -20. Results Sixteen patients with psoriasis completed the study. We observed significantly reduced Psoriasis Area and Severity Index at week-10 (p = 0.01) and -20 (p = 0.001) compared to baseline, with 50% of participants achieving PASI-50 at week-20. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was significantly reduced at week-20 (p = 0.04), compared to baseline. Significant reduction in blood pressure at week-10 (systolic: −7.4 mmHg, p = 0.002; diastolic: −4.2 mmHg, p = 0.03) and -20 (systolic: −8.8 mmHg, p = 0.001; diastolic: 4.1 mmHg, p = 0.008) was observed and pulse wave velocity was significantly reduced by week-20 (p = 0.02), suggesting improvement in cardiovascular health. Despite high prevalence of anxiety and depression at baseline, we documented a significant improvement in wellbeing and psychological health. Functional capacity was significantly enhanced following completion of the study. Conclusion Increasing PA constitutes a promising therapeutic intervention in the management of psoriasis. Evaluation of our intervention in a clinical trial would help determine clinical utility and establish PA guidelines for patients with psoriasis.

Source: Skin Health and Disease

DOI: 10.1002/ski2.426

Authors: Rory Sheppard, Weh K. Gan, Gladys L. Onambele-Pearson, Helen S. Young

Institutions: Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester Metropolitan University

Language: English

Topic: Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,403