Doctor Issues Warning: ‘Invisible Disease’ Affecting Half a Million Brits Could Be Linked to Scaly Skin Condition
An “invisible disease” affecting half a million people in the United Kingdom may be linked to a scaly skin condition that impacts around three percent of the global population.
Psoriasis, a common skin condition, is estimated to affect 125 million people worldwide. This non-contagious disease causes inflamed, scaly patches of skin, often accompanied by pain and itching. In more severe cases, the patches can bleed.
Recent research has suggested a connection between psoriasis and an invisible disease that impacts half a million people in the UK.
A total of 125 million people in the world are thought to have psoriasis
Psoriasis study explained
The study, published after new research conducted at Uppsala University in Sweden, has uncovered a potential link between psoriasis and gastrointestinal issues.
Maria Lampinen, a researcher from the university’s Department of Pharmacy, led the study and explained: “Previous research has indicated that people with psoriasis experience more gastrointestinal problems than the general population. However, the underlying reasons were not well understood. Our study now reveals that individuals with psoriasis often have invisible inflammation in their small intestines, which increases the risk of a condition known as ‘leaky gut.’”
A link between Crohn’s disease and psoriasis?
What is a ‘leaky gut’?
The study found that individuals with psoriasis often experience invisible inflammation in the small intestine, which increases their susceptibility to a condition known as ‘leaky gut.’
According to Cleveland Clinic, leaky gut refers to increased intestinal permeability, allowing toxins and other substances to pass through the intestinal lining, a phenomenon seen in some gastrointestinal diseases.
When someone has a leaky gut, harmful substances and bacteria can leak through the intestinal barrier, leading to inflammation. The research suggests that these gut changes could help explain why people with psoriasis are more likely to experience gastrointestinal issues and may also be at higher risk for developing Crohn’s disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease that is often ‘invisible.’
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease, which affects around half a million people in the UK, is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. As an autoimmune disorder, it occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
Common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), weight loss, fever, anemia, joint pain, sore or red eyes, and mouth ulcers.
The study in question involved 18 patients with psoriasis and 15 healthy controls. None of the participants had been diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases. Researchers took samples from both the small and large intestines of these participants, examining different types of immune cells in the mucous membrane to better understand the connection between psoriasis and gastrointestinal issues.
Crohn’s disease causes real issues for some people
Maria Lampinen explained that the study revealed psoriasis sufferers had a higher number of certain immune cells in their small intestine, with these cells showing signs of pro-inflammatory activity. Interestingly, the same type of immune cells were also found in skin flare-ups of psoriasis patients, suggesting a potential link between skin inflammation and gut inflammation, or vice versa.
Half of the psoriasis patients in the study showed increased intestinal permeability, or leaky gut. Lampinen noted that even though the psoriasis patients had relatively mild skin conditions and no visible intestinal inflammation during a gastroscopy, they displayed significant changes in their small intestine compared to healthy controls. These changes could help explain why individuals with psoriasis often experience gastrointestinal issues and have a heightened risk of developing Crohn’s disease.