TOPLINE:

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, weight-loss interventions demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in psoriasis severity and quality of life of patients.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies with 14 comparisons including 1145 patients with psoriasis (mean age, 49.7 years; 37.5% women; BMI, 30.8) across nine countries.
• Studies included were randomised controlled trials that assessed weight-loss interventions (pharmacologic or surgical) on psoriasis severity. They were required to have a comparator group receiving usual psoriasis care or a lower-intensity weight-loss intervention. The mean follow-up duration was 15.5 weeks.
• Outcomes included mean differences (MDs) for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score changes and the association of weight-loss interventions with disease severity and quality of life.

TAKEAWAY:

• The weight-loss intervention group showed a greater reduction in psoriasis severity (in terms of the PASI) than the control group (MD, -2.5; 95% CI, -3.8 to -1.1).
• The analysis showed an increased likelihood of achieving PASI75 with weight-loss interventions (risk ratio [RR], 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2) on the basis of six comparisons including 681 patients.
• The weight-loss intervention group had improved DLQI scores compared to the control group (MD, -4.99; 95% CI, -9.65 to -0.33) across seven comparisons including 364 patients.
• No statistically significant effects were found on PASI50 (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.90-2.40) or PASI100 (RR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.27-9.73), although analyses were limited by fewer studies.

IN PRACTICE:

"Weight-loss interventions may improve skin disease and quality of life for people with psoriasis and excess weight," the authors wrote, suggesting that "clinicians should consider using these findings to counsel patients and refer them for weight-loss support when appropriate."

SOURCE:

This study was led by Sarah Morrow, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, England. It was published online on December 19, 2025, in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology.

LIMITATIONS:

The findings were limited by the small number of patients for some outcomes. Pooled behavioural interventions varied in intensity, duration, and delivery, contributing to weight-loss variability and high heterogeneity. Differences in study populations also likely contributed to the observed heterogeneity. Additionally, no trials were conducted in primary or community care settings, where populations might differ from those recruited in specialist dermatology settings. The long-term sustainability of psoriasis improvement after weight loss remained unclear due to generally short study follow-ups, with only two studies conducting extended follow-up.

DISCLOSURES:

This study was jointly funded by the British Skin Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR); additional support was provided by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. One author reported receiving research grants from the British Skin Foundation. Three authors reported receiving research grants from the NIHR. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.