Psoriasis associated with comorbidities- Is this to be expected?

Implications:  This article is important in that it is one of the first to confirm what is  a widely held belief among many dematologists who treat many patients with psoriasis. Specifically that these patients suffer a higher rate of cardiovascular diseases, depression, malignancy, etc. This makes perfect sense as the immune system in these patients is activated and in essence there is a chronic state of inflammation throughout the body. This could lead to blood vessel damage in various organs such as the heart, etc.,  and to cardiac events. Chronic inflammation can also increase the risk of malignancy, and any chronic potentially debilitating disease like psoriasis has a significantly higher incidence of depression.

Analysis:    Since psoriasis is a systemic immune disease that is manifested in the skin, a product that reduces systemic inflammation in these patients may have benefit in reduction of these other comorbidities. The most obvious of these would be the biologics such as Enbrel, Hunira, Remicade, etc. A long term study would be helpful in following these patients to see if these agents do indeed reduce the incidence of cardiac events, malignancy, depression, etc.