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Association of Multiple Sclerosis with Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

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Abstract

Background

Previous studies have reported the occurrence of psoriasis together with multiple sclerosis (MS). Although similar predisposing genes and pathomechanisms have been hypothesized, the relationship between the two remains obscure.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the association between psoriasis and MS.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL in July 2018 for case–control, cross-sectional, or cohort studies that examined either the odds or risk of psoriasis in subjects with multiple sclerosis. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model meta-analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for case–control/cross-sectional studies and hazard ratio (HR) for cohort studies.

Results

We included 10 publications that reported a total of 11 studies (5 case–control, 4 cross-sectional and 2 cohort studies). The case–control and cross-sectional studies included 18,456 MS patients and 870,149 controls, while the two cohort studies involved 25,187 MS patients and 227,225 controls in total. Three studies were rated with a high risk of bias in comparability, non-response rate, and selection of controls. MS was associated with increased odds (OR 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–1.45) and risk for psoriasis (HR 1.92; 95% CI 1.32–2.80).

Conclusion

Patients with MS display both increased prevalence and incidence of psoriasis.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Sunflower Statistical Consulting Company, Kaohsiung, Taiwan for statistical advice.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Chia-Yu Liu and Tao-Hsin Tung contributed equally to this article.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan

    Chia-Yu Liu & Chin-Yu Lee

  2. Department of Medical Research and Education, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    Tao-Hsin Tung

  3. Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Kuo-Hsuan Chang

  4. College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Kuo-Hsuan Chang & Ching-Chi Chi

  5. Department of Dermatology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan

    Shu-Hui Wang

  6. Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan

    Shu-Hui Wang

  7. Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 5 Fuxing St, Guishan District, Taoyuan, 33305, Taiwan

    Ching-Chi Chi

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  1. Chia-Yu Liu
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Correspondence to Ching-Chi Chi.

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Mr Liu, Dr Tung, Ms Lee, Drs Chang and Wang, and Prof. Chi declare no conflict of interest.

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Liu, CY., Tung, TH., Lee, CY. et al. Association of Multiple Sclerosis with Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Am J Clin Dermatol 20, 201–208 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-018-0399-9

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