New research from Uppsala University, Sweden, has revealed that individuals with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, may experience invisible inflammation in their small intestine, increasing their risk for “leaky gut” syndrome. This gut inflammation may shed light on why psoriasis patients often report gastrointestinal issues and have a higher likelihood of developing Crohn’s disease.
The study, published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular Basis of Disease, underscores a possible connection between skin and gut health. Psoriasis is a hereditary condition marked by chronic skin inflammation, and in some cases, it also leads to joint inflammation. The research highlights a notable overlap between psoriasis and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), particularly Crohn’s disease, which are more prevalent among psoriasis patients compared to the general population.
The research involved 18 individuals with psoriasis and 15 healthy controls, none of whom had a prior diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. Samples were collected from their small and large intestines for analysis.
Researchers discovered that psoriasis patients had a higher presence of specific immune cells in their small intestine. These immune cells showed signs of pro-inflammatory activity, similar to the immune response observed in the skin flare-ups of psoriasis patients.
“Interestingly, we found the same type of immune cells in skin lesions from psoriasis patients, suggesting a bidirectional relationship between skin and gut inflammation,” said Maria Lampinen, a researcher at Uppsala University.
The study also noted that half of the psoriasis patients displayed increased intestinal permeability, commonly known as “leaky gut.” This condition occurs when the intestinal mucosa, which typically acts as a protective barrier, becomes compromised, allowing bacteria and harmful substances to pass through. The leakage can lead to inflammation in the gut and other parts of the body as these substances enter the bloodstream.
Psoriasis patients with leaky gut reported more frequent gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating compared to those with a normal intestinal barrier. Elevated levels of inflammatory substances were also detected in their intestines.
“Surprisingly, even patients with mild psoriasis who showed no visible signs of intestinal inflammation during a gastroscopy exhibited significant changes in their small intestine,” the researchers noted. “These changes may explain the gastrointestinal symptoms reported by psoriasis patients and their heightened risk of developing Crohn’s disease.”
This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the connection between psoriasis and gut health. The findings suggest that managing gut inflammation may be crucial in improving the overall quality of life for individuals with psoriasis.
Further research is needed to explore how treatments targeting gut inflammation could benefit psoriasis patients and potentially reduce their risk of developing associated conditions like Crohn’s disease.