New research from Uppsala University reveals why people with psoriasis often experience stomach problems: They often experience invisible inflammation in their small intestines and have an increased tendency to suffer from “leaky gut.” The findings, published in Acta Biochimica et Biophysica (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease, may explain the link between this common skin condition and digestive problems.
beyond superficiality
While psoriasis is primarily a skin disease, affecting nearly 300,000 people in Sweden alone, researchers have found that its effects extend far beyond the surface. Research shows that patients with even mild skin symptoms show surprising changes in their small intestines compared with healthy people.
“Previous research has also shown that people with psoriasis have more gastrointestinal problems than the general population. However, we don’t quite understand why this happens. “Through our study, we can now show that people with psoriasis have more gastrointestinal problems than the general population. There is often invisible inflammation in the gut, which increases the risk of leaky gut.”
Detailed investigation
The research team examined 18 psoriasis patients and 15 healthy controls, taking samples from the small and large intestines. None of the participants had been diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease, making this finding particularly important.
The results were shocking: psoriasis patients had higher numbers of certain immune cells in their small intestines, and these cells showed signs of inflammatory activity. Interestingly, researchers found the same types of immune cells in skin flare-ups in people with psoriasis, suggesting a potential link between skin and gut inflammation.
Understanding “Leaky Gut”
Half of the psoriasis patients in the study showed increased intestinal barrier permeability, commonly known as “leaky gut.” This condition occurs when the intestinal barrier does not function well, allowing bacteria and harmful substances to seep into it and potentially cause inflammation.
These patients also report more frequent gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain and bloating, than patients with a normal intestinal barrier. Their intestines also showed elevated levels of inflammatory substances.
Impact on patient care
The study resonated strongly with the psoriasis community. After the Swedish Psoriasis Society’s membership magazine published an article about the study, Lampinen received many emails from people who recognized the connection between their gut and skin symptoms.
“This study felt necessary and important to the patients themselves,” Lampinen said. “Better understanding of gastrointestinal problems in people with psoriasis could help the health care system pay more attention to the connection between the gut and skin in people with psoriasis, which may also lead to better treatments for these problems in the long term. “
This finding is particularly important given that people with psoriasis are at increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease compared with the general population. This study provides new insights into why this association exists and opens potential avenues for more comprehensive treatments.
The study, funded by the Psoriasis Society Stewardship Fund and Hudfonden (Skin Foundation), marks an important step in understanding the systemic nature of psoriasis and its effects beyond the skin.
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