Rates of psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease, have been increasing globally, likely due to changing environmental and dietary factors. The disease course and response to new targeted treatments remain highly variable, and there is a critical need to identify modifiable factors that could improve patient outcomes. New research shows that humans may store salt in their skin in response to high levels of salt intake, which could trigger or perpetuate some of the inflammatory processes involved in psoriasis.
The primary aim of our research is to determine whether dietary salt intake is associated with psoriasis. We will also examine whether there are particular subgroups for whom this relationship is strongest. Finally, we will examine whether salt intake helps to explain a previously established relationship between psoriasis and hypertension.
If we find an association between salt intake and psoriasis, future clinical trials may evaluate the utility of low-salt diets, which would be a novel treatment strategy that is low-risk, cost-effective, and widely available.