Diabetes and Psoriasis

We have noted frequently that psoriatic patients either have diabetes or else have close relatives with that condition. We have also gained the clinical impression that psoriatics, like diabetics, are frequently overweight. We wondered, therefore, if psoriasis and diabetes might have a common metabolic denominator. If such were the case, then exhaustive histories relative to either or both conditions in families should indicate such a relationship. Furthermore, a comparison of the actual with the ideal weights of psoriatics might give some supportive evidence to the clinical impression that psoriatics are overweight.

A review of pertinent literature reveals conflicting opinions on the relationship of psoriasis and diabetes. Reports by Wiener,¹ Nagelschmidt,² Pick,³ and Greenwood⁴ would indicate a positive relationship, while studies of Throne and Myers,⁵ Reiss,⁶ Gans,⁷ Buschke and Curth,⁸ Fisher,⁹ Rost,¹⁰ and Beek¹¹ are either inconclusive or else