Psoriasis Not Genetically Linked to Renal Impairment, Mendelian Randomization Study Finds
A Mendelian randomization (MR) study found no evidence that genetic susceptibility to psoriasis causally contributes to renal impairment, challenging prior observational reports that have linked psoriasis to kidney dysfunction.
Psoriasis has long been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in epidemiologic studies. However, uncertainty has remained regarding whether psoriasis itself contributes to renal damage or whether observed associations reflect confounding factors, such as comorbidities, medication exposure, or surveillance bias.
To address this question, investigators used genetic variants associated with psoriasis identified in a Finnish genome-wide study involving 373,338 participants. Using a two-sample MR framework, the researchers assessed 6 renal outcomes spanning static kidney function, advanced kidney disease, and disease progression.
The evaluated outcomes included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, CKD stages G3–G5, dialysis requirement, accelerated progression to CKD (CKDi25), and rapid renal function decline (Rapid3).
Across all analyses, genetic liability to psoriasis was not associated with adverse renal outcomes. No significant associations were observed for eGFR (β = -0.0005, P = .393), albuminuria (odds ratio [OR] = 0.992, P = .819), CKD G3–G5 (OR = 1.012, P = .520), dialysis (OR = 0.940, P = .377), CKDi25 (OR = 1.013, P = .527), or Rapid3 (OR = 1.005, P = .728). Investigators also found no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy.
According to the authors, the findings provide “robust genetic evidence that psoriasis itself does not causally affect kidney function,” suggesting that previously reported associations may be driven by factors such as nephrotoxic medications, metabolic comorbidities, or increased medical surveillance.
The study further found that “genetic overlap between psoriasis and kidney disease risk appears minimal,” supporting the conclusion that psoriasis is not an independent driver of renal injury.
Reference
Huang Z, Liu S. Mendelian randomization analysis of psoriasis and multiparameter renal function trajectories. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2026;26:e18715303426134. doi:10.2174/0118715303426134251202143308
