ADULTS with psoriasis may be more likely to also have chronic bronchitis, according to new U.S. population-based findings.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that has long been associated with multiple systemic comorbidities, including arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite this, the potential overlap between psoriasis and chronic bronchitis has remained underexplored. Using data from the 2009–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), investigators assessed whether adults with chronic bronchitis were more likely to also report psoriasis.
The analysis included 13,339 participants who provided responses to both psoriasis and chronic bronchitis questions within NHANES. Researchers applied multivariable logistic regression models, adjusting for key confounders such as age, sex, ethnicity, income, body mass index, and tobacco use.
Results demonstrated that adults with chronic bronchitis had a 54% higher likelihood of having psoriasis compared with those without the respiratory condition (adjusted odds ratio=1.54; 95% CI=1.05–2.28). Subgroup analyses further supported this relationship across different demographic and clinical groups.
These findings underscore the need for heightened clinical awareness of chronic bronchitis as a comorbidity in patients with psoriasis. The observed association may reflect overlapping inflammatory pathways, adverse responses to therapy, or an underrecognized burden of lung disease in this population. Clinicians should consider routine respiratory assessments in patients with psoriasis, particularly those presenting with chronic cough or other pulmonary symptoms.
By strengthening the evidence base for psoriasis-related comorbidities, this study provides important insights for both dermatology and respiratory medicine specialists. The findings may ultimately inform integrated management strategies that address both skin and pulmonary health, improving outcomes for patients with these chronic conditions.
Reference:
Chen J et al. Association between psoriasis and chronic bronchitis: Adverse reaction to therapy or neglected comorbidity? J Biomed Res. 2025. doi:10.7555/JBR.39.20250178
