Psoriasis and passive smoking

[Fred]

Smoking has for a long time been said to be bad for psoriasis, but could passive smoking also increase ones chance of getting psoriasis?

Quote:

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Background:
Smoking is a potential risk factor for psoriasis. Both psoriasis and smoking habits are partly explained by genetic factors. However, twin studies investigating the association between these traits are limited.

Methods:
Questionnaire-based data on smoking habits and psoriasis were collected for 34,781 twins, aged 20–71 years, from the Danish Twin Registry. A co-twin control analysis was performed on 1700 twin pairs discordant for lifetime history of smoking. Genetic and environmental correlations between smoking and psoriasis were estimated using classical twin modeling.

Results:
After multivariable adjustment, age group (50–71 vs. 20–49 years) and childhood exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were significantly associated with psoriasis in the whole population (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.29 [P = 0.021] and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.49 [P = 0.002], respectively). Risk for psoriasis increased substantially (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.82–2.61; P < 0.001) for smokers with a history of >5 pack-years, even after adjusting for age, sex, and childhood ETS. Among twin pairs discordant for smoking, risk for psoriasis in the ever-smoking twin was lower among monozygotic twins (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.59–2.56; P = 0.578) than among same-sex dizygotic twins (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.36–3.58; P = 0.001). Genetic factors explained 20% (14–25%; P < 0.001) of the correlation between psoriasis and smoking, whereas non-shared environmental factors explained 8% (0–22%; P = 0.504).

Conclusions:
Tobacco consumption and childhood ETS are significantly associated with psoriasis. Results indicate shared genetic factors for smoking and psoriasis.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view no funding known.

[jiml]

An interesting study, I think we all know smoking is bad for us , but anything to make people aware of the possibility  that passive smoking could trigger or be a cause is useful . However as an ex smoker I doubt whether another health scare will deter anyone from smoking, and it's almost impossible not to passive smoke if you live with a smoker
But interesting nevertheless ... Thanks for the information

[Fred]

An interesting study, I think we all know smoking is bad for us , but anything to make people aware of the possibility  that passive smoking could trigger or be a cause is useful . However as an ex smoker I doubt whether another health scare will deter anyone from smoking, and it's almost impossible not to passive smoke if you live with a smoker
But interesting nevertheless ... Thanks for the information

Is smoking bad for us ? I'm not so sure it is, stopping never made any difference to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis for me. I smoked most of my life from a very young age and I was brought up in a smoking family, I've smoked a lot and sometimes some very dodgy stuff. I have known people who smoked huge amounts live long and some that never smoked die young, I agree it's not good for us but then neither is crossing the road without looking. If smoking makes us feel good, isn't that a good thing for our well being and as a result can make psoriasis easier to live with? Now I come to think of it psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis has got worse since I gave up smoking.  

This study doesn't hold enough evidence for me as my brothers one of whom has smoked most of his life and one that never has have never had psoriasis, most of my family were smokers and not one of them have ever had psoriasis.  

I remain not convinced in the results myself.

[AmandaL]

I'll be honest, I'm a smoker and have been since I was a teenager. I've tried giving up and never noticed a difference in any of my conditions. Going off topic, but it constantly amazes me how people feel that it's okay to ridicule smokers and make comments on them, yet you wouldn't find someone going up to someone having a pint or a kebab and saying "oh you know that's bad for you!" IS IT? I DIDNT NOTICE!

Back on subject out of my family myself, sister, father and grandfather all have psoriasis. None smoke apart from me and none of them live in a house constantly filled with smoke.

[jiml]

An interesting study, I think we all know smoking is bad for us , but anything to make people aware of the possibility  that passive smoking could trigger or be a cause is useful . However as an ex smoker I doubt whether another health scare will deter anyone from smoking, and it's almost impossible not to passive smoke if you live with a smoker
But interesting nevertheless ... Thanks for the information

Is smoking bad for us ? I'm not so sure it is, stopping never made any difference to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis for me. I smoked most of my life from a very young age and I was brought up in a smoking family, I've smoked a lot and sometimes some very dodgy stuff. I have known people who smoked huge amounts live long and some that never smoked die young, I agree it's not good for us but then neither is crossing the road without looking. If smoking makes us feel good, isn't that a good thing for our well being and as a result can make psoriasis easier to live with? Now I come to think of it psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis has got worse since I gave up smoking.  

This study doesn't hold enough evidence for me as my brothers one of whom has smoked most of his life and one that never has have never had psoriasis, most of my family were smokers and not one of them have ever had psoriasis.  

I remain not convinced in the results myself.

I don't think there's any doubt that smoking is bad for us. My mother in law had a terrible death from emphysema caused by smoking for years, and yes many get away with it and live long but there is no doubt in my mind that it does cause damage to our bodies
I agree there is no conclusive evidence that it can cause psoriasis but at least people are looking for triggers, and that has to be a good thing

[Fred]

@Amanda You are right people do ridicule smokers, but stuffing your face with junk food is just as bad and cost the government just as much. Ok some will say you won't be effected by passive junk food eating, but it can effect peoples lives in other ways. (just ask those that live near the fast food outlets who have to put up with all the crap in their gardens on a Sunday morning).


@Jim Yes any study looking at triggers is a good thing, but when the people living with the problem can't see any proof in the results it may not have the result it was intended to have. I agree smoking does damage the body, but lot's of things damage the body and if smoking is helping someone cope with psoriasis then good on em I say. (They know the score)

[jiml]

@Amanda You are right people do ridicule smokers, but stuffing your face with junk food is just as bad and cost the government just as much. Ok some will say you won't be effected by passive junk food eating, but it can effect peoples lives in other ways. (just ask those that live near the fast food outlets who have to put up with all the crap in their gardens on a Sunday morning).


@Jim Yes any study looking at triggers is a good thing, but when the people living with the problem can't see any proof in the results it may not have the result it was intended to have. I agree smoking does damage the body, but lot's of things damage the body and if smoking is helping someone cope with psoriasis then good on em I say. (They know the score)

Fred I would never ridicule anyone for smoking, I was one myself for many years ... The only reason I gave up was the cost not for health reasons ....... Although giving up did make me put on weight  
I agree there are many things we do that are bad for our health including my favourite  ( no second favourite ) pastime   I'm talking about the odd drink .

@Amanda  I never noticed a scrap of difference when I gave up smoking with my psoriasis ... I think we have to look elsewhere for a cause or trigger

[Fred]

Fred I would never ridicule anyone for smoking,

I never said you did mate.

[jiml]

Fred I would never ridicule anyone for smoking,

I never said you did mate.  

I know I just wanted to make it clear

[Fred]

Fred I would never ridicule anyone for smoking,

I never said you did mate.  

I know I just wanted to make it clear

Clear as smoke Jim.