LOS ANGELES, Ca. (WTVR) – It’s estimated that as many as 7.5 million people suffer from the itch or redness of psoriasis.
Now new research finds that a treatment for the irritating skin disease might have some beneficial side effects.
Nearly 9,000 patients with psoriasis participated in a study from the Kaiser Permanante Los Angeles Medical Center.
Researchers found patients who were given a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, a drug used to treat psoriasis, were 50% less likely to have a heart attack compared to patients on other medications.
Doctors said people with psoriasis are at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases because the condition causes inflammation in the body.
“This inflammation brings out diabetes, high blood pressure, and ultimately a heart attack,” said Dr. Jay Wu with Kaiser Permanante Los Angeles Medical Center.
In the next phase of the study, researchers will look into the effects a TNF inhibitor has on stroke.
