Smoking and alcohol intake in severely affected patients with psoriasis in Germany

Abstract

Background: Smoking and alcohol may contribute as triggering factors for psoriasis and are substantial for managing severely affected psoriasis patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the general state of smoking and alcohol intake in a group of hospitalized, severely affected patients with psoriasis in comparison with the general population of Germany.

Methods: A retrospective, multicentre study analysing data from 1,203 patients with severe psoriasis was performed.

Results: 43.3% of all patients were found to be active smokers (males: 46.6%; females: 39.2%) with a higher likelihood as the control group (odds ratio, OR, 2.08, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.81-2.39; p < 0.0001). 14.9% of all patients were found to be excessive drinkers (female patients: 5.5%; male patients: 22.3%), more likely than the control group (OR 3.10, 95% CI 2.53-3.80; p < 0.0001); males had an OR of 2.86 (95% CI 2.29-3.56; p < 0.0001) and females an OR of 5.12 (95% CI 3.12-8.39; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Smoking and alcohol intake are independently associated with severe forms of psoriasis. Disease severity is correlated with smoking in both genders as well as with alcohol intake in female patients.