Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Comorbidities in Psoriasis and the Effect of HLA-C*06:02 Status: The HUNT Study, Norway

Psoriasis has been associated with increased adiposity measures driving systemic inflammation, which may lead to metabolic dysfunction and comorbidities. In this population-based, cross-sectional study, we used data from 56 042 individuals in the fourth wave of the Trondelag Health Study (HUNT4), to investigate the associations between psoriasis and body composition measures assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, cardiometabolic risk factors, and comorbidities. Further, we investigated the associations between HLA-C*06:02 status, a potential clinical biomarker for a distinct psoriasis endotype, and these outcomes. Psoriasis was associated with increased adiposity measures, including increased body and visceral fat, and lower levels of skeletal muscle and soft lean mass, as well as higher prevalence of cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine disorders. HLA-C*06:02-positive individuals with psoriasis had lower levels of hsCRP, increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation and decreased prevalence of migraine. Our results point to altered body composition in psoriasis with increased levels of fat, and particularly metabolically active visceral fat, and provide support for a broad clinical approach to psoriatic patients in a general population.