Allergic mechanisms as new triggers for psoriasis development

Abstract

Introduction. Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis combine signs of a systemic inflammatory process with damage not only in the skin, but also in other organs and systems with the formation of severe forms of the disease, the so-called "psoriatic disease" and "atopic march". The question of the causal relationship between allergy and psoriatic disease and the peculiarities of the spectrum of sensitization to allergens in psoriasis is relevant, and its study can lead to the discovery of new triggers for the development and progression of pathology.

The purpose of the study: to analyze the spectrum of sensitization to pollen, household, fungal and epidermal allergens in patients with psoriasis in order to identify new triggers of psoriatic disease.

Materials and methods. Patients with psoriasis (Group 1, n=41) aged 18 to 66 years were examined. Patients with atopic dermatitis (Group 2, n=20) were examined as a comparison group. The control group consisted of practically healthy people matched by sex and age (group 3, n=19). Specific allergological examination included collection of an allergic history, determination of the spectrum of sensitization by analyzing the concentration of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and allergen-specific IgE to pollen, household, fungal and epidermal allergens by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The calculation and analysis of the obtained data was carried out using the Statistica 8.0 software package.

Results and discussion. In a comparative analysis of the spectrum of sensitization to pollen allergens between groups of patients, it was noted that in atopic dermatitis, sensitization to pollen from trees, meadow grasses and weeds was statistically significantly more frequent in comparison with psoriasis. In the group of patients with psoriasis, monovalent sensitization was statistically significantly more frequent in comparison with the group of patients with atopic dermatitis, in which, on the contrary, polyvalent sensitization was more often determined.

Conclusion. The data obtained in the course of this study confirm the concept that atopic mechanisms are characteristic of psoriasis, but to a lesser extent than for atopic dermatitis and are protective against the development of autoimmune mechanisms, which is consistent with literature data. Consequently, further study of psoriasis and allergies from the standpoint of comorbidity should be carried out in the direction of investigating both atopic and non-atopic mechanisms of triggering allergic reactions involved in the immunopathogenesis of psoriatic disease.