Shocking New Findings at EADV Congress 2025

A groundbreaking study presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025 has unveiled a surprising connection: individuals with psoriasis face a significantly higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This revelation opens new avenues for understanding this common skin condition and its potential impacts on eye health!

Unveiling the Risks!

Recent research has cast light on the association between psoriasis and AMD, particularly through a nationwide cohort study that scrutinized more than 2 million patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Alarmingly, the findings indicated that patients with psoriasis were at a markedly increased risk for AMD compared to their counterparts without the skin condition.

What the Experts Are Saying!

Dr. Alison Treichel, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, stated, "Given that abnormal lipid deposition is a hallmark of AMD, especially the dry form that leads to progressive vision loss, it’s scientifically reasonable to infer that psoriasis could elevate AMD risk. Our study is pioneering in linking psoriasis with non-exudative AMD, sparking interest for future investigations."

Study Details: A Deep Dive

The comprehensive study, spanning 15 years and utilizing data from TriNetX, followed 22,901 patients over the age of 55 diagnosed with psoriasis. Only those who had undergone an eye examination within the last decade were included, honing in on a specific population and excluding prior AMD diagnoses, ensuring more reliable results.

Comparative Analysis with Strong Implications

Researchers compared psoriasis patients with three control groups: dermatology patients with melanocytic nevus, those suffering from major depressive disorder (to mitigate the impact of chronic diseases), and patients who had received an eye exam. They meticulously analyzed the 10-year incidence rates of both exudative and non-exudative AMD, aiming to uncover the deeper implications of psoriasis.

Alarming Results!

The results were striking, revealing a potent association between psoriasis and unspecified AMD when measured against the control groups. The risk ratios were eye-opening: 1.561 compared to the major depressive disorder group, and 1.209 when matched with melanocytic nevus patients. Moreover, psoriasis was linked with a heightened risk of both exudative and non-exudative AMD.

The Role of Treatment: A Silver Lining?

In a separate analysis, the study evaluated psoriasis patients treated with biologic therapies versus those using topical corticosteroids. Remarkably, those on biologics showed a 27% lower risk of developing unspecified AMD! This suggests that biologic treatments might possess protective qualities beyond merely alleviating skin symptoms.

Looking Ahead: The Need for Further Research

Dr. Treichel concluded, "Our findings underscore the connection between psoriasis and both types of AMD, likely driven by shared lipid dysregulation. They also hint at the possibility that biologic therapies might offer additional benefits. Future research is critical to verify these observations and uncover the interconnected role of risk factors like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and smoking."

This study not only redefines our understanding of psoriasis but also calls into question how we might protect against a common cause of vision loss.