Dietary factors and the risk of psoriasis. Results of an Italian case-control study.
We have conducted a case-control study to explore the relation between the consumption of selected foods and psoriasis. The out-patient services of nine teaching hospitals and five general hospitals in northern and southern Italy took part. Cases were newly diagnosed psoriatics with a history of skin problems of no more than 2 years. As controls, we selected subjects with newly diagnosed skin conditions, other than psoriasis, who were seen in the same out-patient clinics. Inclusion of cases and controls was limited to the age group 16-65 years. A total of 316 psoriatics and 366 controls were recruited. Anthropometric measures, including height and weight, were obtained. Diet was assessed by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Psoriasis appeared to be positively associated with body mass index (chi 2(1) trend 4.3, P < 0.05). Significant inverse relations with psoriasis were also observed for the intake of carrots (chi 2(1) trend 4.8, P < 0.05), tomatoes (chi 2(1) trend 26.3, P < 0.01), fresh fruit (chi 2(1) trend 11.7, P < 0.01) and index of beta-carotene intake (chi 2(1) trend 9.1, P < 0.01). Although largely explorative, these results provide some evidence for a potential role of diet in psoriasis.
Naldi
L
L
Department of Dermatology University of Milan, Italy.
Parazzini
F
F
Peli
L
L
Chatenoud
L
L
Cainelli
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014675:Vegetables; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene
D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids