An Bras Dermatol. 2026 Oct 31;101(6):501470. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2026.501470. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. Although reduced physical activity is frequently reported in these patients, objective data on physiological exercise capacity remains limited.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate exercise capacity in patients with psoriasis using Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET), the gold standard method, and compare the results with those of healthy controls.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 32 patients with psoriasis (off systemic therapy for ≥6-months) and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants underwent symptom-limited CPET on a cycle ergometer. Disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and Physician Global Assessment (PGA).
RESULTS: Patients with psoriasis demonstrated significantly lower exercise capacity compared to controls. Peak VO₂, percentage of predicted peak VO₂, VO₂ at AT, and work rate were all significantly lower (all p < 0.01). Peak VO₂ showed significant negative correlations with BMI, PASI, and PGA (all p ≤ 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, age (β = -0.17, p = 0.017), BMI (β = -0.30, p = 0.007), and PASI score (β = -0.47, p = 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of peak VO₂, explaining 63.4% of its variance (R² = 0.634, p < 0.001).
STUDY LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design and relatively small single-center sample limit causal inference.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis demonstrated reduced exercise capacity compared with healthy controls, and disease severity was independently associated with lower peak VO₂. However, due to the cross-sectional design and the potential influence of unmeasured cardiometabolic and lifestyle-related confounders, causality cannot be established, and further prospective studies are required.
PMID:42966280 | DOI:10.1016/j.abd.2026.501470