Fact check: Can psoriasis kill you

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

While psoriasis itself is rarely directly fatal, severe cases can significantly impact life expectancy. Scientific studies have shown that patients with severe psoriasis (affecting >10% of body surface area) have a 1.79 times higher risk of death, with men dying 3.5 years younger and women 4.4 years younger on average. A rare form called erythrodermic psoriasis, affecting about 2% of psoriasis patients, can be directly life-threatening.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

The original question lacks crucial distinctions between mild and severe psoriasis. Studies show that mild psoriasis does NOT increase mortality risk. However, severe psoriasis creates serious health complications through chronic inflammation, leading to:

• 20-70% higher heart attack risk
• 12-56% higher stroke risk
• Increased risk of lymphoma and other cancers
• Higher rates of diabetes
• Increased risk of depression and suicide

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

The question "Can psoriasis kill you" oversimplifies a complex medical condition. It fails to acknowledge that:

• Only severe cases (>10% body coverage) show statistically significant mortality risks
• Early intervention and proper medical management can significantly reduce these risks
• The primary threats come from complications rather than the condition itself
• The medical community, including pharmaceutical companies developing psoriasis treatments, benefits from promoting awareness of these serious risks, while potentially overemphasizing the dangers of milder cases