Poor Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Linked to Psoriasis Risk, Reduced Life Expectancy

Poor cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health was associated with an increased risk of developing psoriasis, particularly among individuals with high genetic risk, according to findings from a prospective cohort study.

Investigators analyzed 392,454 UK Biobank participants without psoriasis to assess associations between CKM status, genetic risk, and incident psoriasis. CKM syndrome was defined according to metabolic risk factors, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease and categorized into stages 0 through 4. Psoriasis genetic risk was evaluated using a polygenic risk score.

Compared with participants at CKM stage 0, psoriasis risk increased progressively with advancing CKM stage. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.21 (95% CI, 1.06-1.38) for stage 1, 1.38 (95% CI, 1.24-1.55) for stage 2, 1.64 (95% CI, 1.42-1.91) for stage 3, and 1.72 (95% CI, 1.47-2.01) for stage 4.

The association was strongest when advanced CKM status and genetic susceptibility occurred together. Participants at CKM stage 4 with high genetic risk had the greatest psoriasis risk compared with those at stage 0 with low genetic risk (HR, 2.82; 95% CI, 2.28-3.49). Investigators also identified a significant positive additive interaction between advanced CKM stages and high genetic risk (RERI, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.35-1.32).

Among patients with psoriasis, CKM stage 4 was also associated with a 2.03-year reduction in life expectancy (95% CI, 0.25-3.81 years).

“Poor CKM health was significantly associated with a higher risk of psoriasis in midlife and older adults,” the investigators concluded.

The association was particularly pronounced among individuals with high genetic risk and was “further linked to decreased life expectancy among patients with psoriasis,” highlighting the relationship between CKM status and both psoriasis incidence and prognosis.

Reference
Zheng G, Zhang Y, Su H, et al. Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, genetic predisposition and incident risk of psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2026;40(3):455-463. doi:10.1111/jdv.20852