There is evidence suggesting a link between gluten and psoriasis, particularly in the context of celiac disease and gluten intolerance. However, the relationship is complex and not fully understood.
Gluten and psoriasis
- Gluten intake and psoriasis: A study involving 85,185 participants found no significant association between increased gluten intake and the incidence of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or atopic dermatitis
- Psoriasis and celiac disease: Patients with psoriasis have been shown to have a higher prevalence of other autoimmune diseases, including celiac disease, a condition marked by sensitivity to dietary gluten . A meta-analysis found a significant association between psoriasis and celiac disease, suggesting that patients with psoriasis might benefit from screening for celiac disease
Gluten-free diet and psoriasis
- Gluten-free diet in psoriasis: The European Society for the Study of Coeliac Disease (ESsCD) 2019 guidelines suggest advising adherence to a gluten-free diet in patients with psoriasis and serological evidence of gluten intolerance, even in the absence of clinical signs of celiac disease
- Gluten-free diet in dermatitis herpetiformis: The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2021 guidelines recommend a lifelong gluten-free diet as the main therapeutic option in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, a condition often associated with celiac disease
In conclusion, while increased gluten intake does not appear to be a risk factor for psoriasis, there is a significant association between psoriasis and celiac disease. A gluten-free diet may be beneficial for patients with psoriasis who have serological evidence of gluten intolerance or who have been diagnosed with celiac disease.