PsoriasisSkin health

7 long-term health effects of psoriasis

How psoriasis affects your heart, liver, joints and more—and what to do about it.


LearnSkinPsoriasis7 long-term health effects of psoriasis
Heart disease
Type 2 Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Liver disease
Psoriatic arthritis
Sleep disorders
Mental health
Reducing your risk

1 of 9

Psoriasis is much more than a skin condition. Though skin symptoms are the most recognizable symptoms of psoriasis—particularly the raised, silvery patches of dead skin that occur with plaque psoriasis—the condition causes inflammation throughout the body, and is associated with a number of other conditions that can cause long-term damage to your health.

Sources: National Psoriasis Foundation. “Comorbid... + 24
  1. National Psoriasis Foundation. “Comorbidities Associated With Psoriatic Disease,” “Psoriasis linked to increased risk for metabolic syndrome,” “The Immune System and Psoriatic Disease,” “Depression.”
  2. Catherine Ni, and Melvin W Chiu. “Psoriasis and comorbidities: links and risks.” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology vol. 7 119-32. 17 Apr. 2014.
  3. Lisa Rapaport. “Psoriasis patients face increased risk of heart attacks and death.” Reuters. September 28, 2017.
  4. Merck Manual. “Overview of Coronary Artery Disease,” “Fatty Liver.”
  5. MedicalNewsToday. “Psoriasis severity may influence type 2 diabetes risk.”
  6. UC Davis Health. “People with severe psoriasis have nearly twice the risk of diabetes.”
  7. M Gyldenlove, H Storgaard, et al. “Patients with psoriasis are insulin resistant.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Volume 72, Issue 4, April 2015, Pages 599-605.
  8. Mayo Clinic. “Metabolic Syndrome.”
  9. American Heart Association. “About Metabolic Syndrome.”
  10. JM Gelfand and Howa Yeung. “Metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriatic disease.” The Journal of Rheumatology. Supplement. Vol. 89 (2012): 24-8.
  11. R Prussick, et al. “Nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease and psoriasis: what a dermatologist needs to know.” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Vol. 8,3 (2015): 43-5.
  12. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. “Psoriatic Arthritis.”
  13. AJ Sankowski, et al. “Psoriatic arthritis.” Polish Journal of Radiology. Vol. 78,1 (2013): 7-17.
  14. MA Gupta, FC Simpson, AK Gupta. “Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review.” Sleep Medicine Reviews.” Volume 29, October 2016, Pages 63-75.
  15. Johns Hopkins Medicine. “The Effects of Sleep Deprivation.”
  16. Beth Orenstein. “Sleep better with psoriatic disease.” National Psoriasis Foundation. April 5, 2017.
  17. Melissa Leavitt. “The link between psoriatic disease and mental illness.” National Psoriasis Foundation. May 28, 2015.
  18. BIRC Ferreira, et al. “Psoriasis and Associated Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review on Etiopathogenesis and Clinical Correlation.” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Vol. 9,6 (2016): 36-43.
  19. Oliveira, Maria de Fátima Santos Paim de et al. “Psoriasis: classical and emerging comorbidities.” Anais brasileiros de dermatologia vol. 90,1 (2015): 9-20.
  20. Gisondi, Paolo et al. “Management of moderate to severe psoriasis in patients with metabolic comorbidities.” Frontiers in medicine vol. 2 1. 21 Jan. 2015.
  21. H Yeung, J Takeshita, et al. “Psoriasis severity and the prevalence of major medical comorbidity: a population-based study.” JAMA Dermatology. 2013 Oct;149(10):1173-9.
  22. K Busse and W Liao. “Which Psoriasis Patients Develop Psoriatic Arthritis?.” Psoriasis Forum. Vol. 16,4 (2010): 17-25.
  23. JM Gelfand, H Yeung. “Metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriatic disease.” The Journal of Rheumatology. 2012 Jul;89:24-8.
  24. Penn Medicine News. “Psoriasis Severity Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.” November 14, 2017.
  25. SK Kurd, et al. “The risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality in patients with psoriasis: a population-based cohort study.” Archives of Dermatology. Vol. 146,8 (2010): 891-5.
Written by Jameson Kowalczyk.
Medically reviewed by Ann Wendling, MD, MPH.November, 2023
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Jameson Kowalczyk.
Medically reviewed by Ann Wendling, MD, MPH.November, 2023
Updated onAugust, 2026
AskMDAskMD

Want to learn about Psoriasis?

Get instant answers from our AI health assistant

Ask Now

Recommended for you

Learn about the association between psoriasis, heart disease, diabetes, mental health disorders, and more.

Why psoriasis is more than a skin disorder
Article

Even better than treating psoriasis is preventing a flare-up in the first place. Here’s how.

7 psoriasis triggers to avoid—and what to do instead
Article

Learn about the medical conditions related to psoriatic arthritis.

Heart disease, back pain and 4 other health risks linked to psoriatic arthritis
Slideshow

How psoriasis may raise your risk of high blood pressure and tips to keep your numbers under control.

What's the relationship between psoriasis and high blood pressure?
Article

A look at what information to record and some of the key benefits.

Hidradenitis suppurativa: how to keep a symptom journal
Article
AskMDHow can I be more consistent?
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.

ask-mdask-md
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.