Psoriasis in the paediatric population: assessment of comorbidities, risk factors of their occurrence, quality of life of patients and therapy implemented.

Introduction: Psoriasis is caused by a systemic inflammatory process. In the adult population, it may be concomitant with many diseases, especially cardiovascular ones and metabolic disorders. The incidence of psoriasis-related comorbidities in children and adolescents is subjected to in clinical trials. Aim: The analysis of cases of children diagnosed with psoriasis depending on sex, age and medical history data, determination of the frequency of comorbidities and their risk factors, assessment of the quality of life of the patients and their families, educating the patients about psoriasis, collecting data on the methods of psoriasis treatment in the paediatric population. Material and methods: The study included 99 children with psoriasis (61 girls and 38 boys), hospitalized in 3 paediatric dermatology centres from March 2020 to March 2022. Results: The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score ≥ 10, indicating moderate and severe psoriasis, was obtained in 56% of the subjects, while the PASI score < 10, indicating mild psoriasis, was obtained in 44% of the subjects. Body mass index (BMI) above the reference range for age and sex was found in 19% of the patients. Comorbidities other than obesity were observed in 27% of the patients. Laboratory tests revealed lipid disorders and other deviations that might indicate chronic diseases. Conclusions: Psoriatic children and adolescents are often obese and with abnormal lipid profile, which may constitute a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Psoriasis has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their families.