Psoriasis: a link to lymphoma established
Here's one of those strange medical studies that don't seem to make a lot of sense, but it's interesting nonetheless.
Researchers have discovered a very high prevalence of lymphomas among psoriasis patients. A study group of 2,718 psoriasis patients had 276 lymphomas, a risk rate of nearly three times above that among non-psoriasis sufferers.
This high rate didn't vary even after allowing for age, sex and treatment.
Researchers are mystified by the findings. Could there be a link between the two conditions, or is psoriasis merely a marker or a co-factor for a more direct cause?
(Source: Archives of Dermatology, 2003; 139: 1425-9).