Introduction:

Psoriasis is a chronic disease associated with multiple comorbidities including inflammatory intestinal disease. There are no previous studies in Colombia regarding the relationship of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with psoriasis.

Objective:

To determine the frequency of symptoms and autoantibodies suggestive of gastrointestinal disease in patients with psoriasis, and to compare the results with healthy controls, as well as their relationship with disease activity.

Materials and methods:

Cross-sectional study with an analytical component, including a questionnaire on symptoms and serum analysis of antibodies suggestive of gastrointestinal disease in cases and controls.

Results:

The analysis included 84 individuals, separated into groups of 44 cases and 40 controls. Mild psoriasis was observed in 64% of cases, and the remaining 36% had moderate to severe psoriasis. Topical treatments were given to 71% of cases, with another 16% using oral treatments, and 14% received biological treatment. The main symptoms of gastrointestinal disease were, abdominal distention (45%), constipation (39%), and fatigue (34%). A comparison showed a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in cases vs. controls, and fatigue was statistically significant (p = 0.04). Only the antinuclear autoantibodies in the serum analysis were statistically significant (0 vs. 43%; p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of symptoms and autoantibodies suggestive of gastrointestinal disease in patients with psoriasis is considered important, even although there are no significant differences when compared with healthy controls. Some patients with gastrointestinal symptoms had positive autoantibodies. This suggests that an adequate clinical follow-up should be carried out. Dermatologists have a decisive role in the integral management of patients.

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