Smoking and Alcohol Intake in Severely Affected Patients with Psoriasis in Germany

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. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel