Study Shows Poor Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Health Raises Risk of PsO

Key Takeaways

• Progressive cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) stages are independently associated with higher psoriasis incidence.

• Patients with high CKM stage and elevated genetic risk face a nearly three-fold increase in the risk for psoriasis.

• Advanced CKM status shortens life expectancy in psoriasis patients, data indicated.

Adults with poor cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) health face significantly higher risks of developing psoriasis and reduced life expectancy if diagnosed, new research reveals. 

The analysis of data from a large UK Biobank cohort included 392,454 participants free of psoriasis at baseline. Researchers categorized CKM syndrome into five progressive stages based on the presence of metabolic risk factors, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). They also evaluated genetic susceptibility using a polygenic risk score. 

The risk of developing psoriasis increased progressively with advancing CKM stage. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for psoriasis were 1.21 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.38), 1.38 (1.24 to 1.55), 1.64 (1.42 to 1.91), and 1.72 (1.47 to 2.01) for stages 1 through 4, respectively vs. stage 0.

Participants with both stage 4 CKM and high genetic risk saw the highest psoriasis risk (HR = 2.82, 95% CI: 2.28 to 3.49). Researchers noted a significant additive interaction (RERI = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.35 to 1.32), indicating that the combined burden of genetic predisposition and CKM pathology exceeds the risk posed by either factor alone. Stage 4 CKM syndrome was linked to a 2-year reduction in lifespan vs. stage 0.

“Poor CKM health was significantly associated with a higher risk of psoriasis in midlife and older adults, particularly among those with high genetic risk and was further linked to decreased life expectancy among patients with psoriasis,” the authors wrote.

Source: Zheng G, et al. JEADV. 2025. doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20852