Frequent use of tobacco and alcohol in Chinese psoriasis patients.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore smoking and drinking as risk factors in psoriasis.

METHODS

Data collected from 789 psoriasis patients and 789 healthy controls were analyzed to determine whether there was an association between smoking/drinking and psoriasis.

RESULTS

The proportion of male psoriasis patients using tobacco and alcohol was much higher than that of the control group (P < 10(-6)), whereas no statistical differences were found between female smokers and the control group. In general, heavy smokers were more likely to have severe psoriasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco use in patients is correlated with psoriasis.