Obesity as a comorbid factor in a boy with psoriasis vulgaris
Kun A. Yunanto, Nurelly N. Waspodo, Farida Tabri*, Faridha Ilyas
Dermatology and Venereology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
Abstract
Abstract Psoriasis is an inflammatory and hyperproliferation disorder marked by complex changes in growth and abnormalities of epidermal, biochemical, immunological, and vascular differentiation. In recent days, the correlation between obesity and psoriasis has strongly emerged. Evidence shows that obesity is not only the risk factor for psoriasis incidence but also aggravates existing psoriasis. The exact mechanisms underlying the relationship between obesity and psoriasis are unclear, although there have been hypothesized that psoriasis is worsened by inflammatory mediators secreted by adipocyte. There also may be a predisposition of genetic for the development of both disorders. In this case report, a 6-year old boy with a fat posture, came to our clinic accompanied by his mother, with the chief complaint of the pruritic rashes that have emerged on his skin surface within the past three years. The calculated body mass index (BMI) was 26.46 kg/m2, which falls to the obese category. The rashes begin to emerge on the abdomen, then they spread to the back, gluteal area, and limbs as the medications that given cannot control the spread of the disease. An oral antihistamine, topical steroid, and moisturizer has been given to the patient but provide only temporary relief. The weight reduction and caloric intake limitation are encouraged to the patient as the concurrent approach to the treatment of the disease.
Keywords: Body mass index; Children; Obesity; Psoriasis vulgaris
Topic: Maternal, neonatal and child health