Alcohol intake measured by phosphatidylethanol in blood and the lifetime drinking history interview are correlated with the extent of psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis has been reported to be associated with alcohol consumption. Objective: To investigate the level of alcohol intake in individuals with psoriasis and correlate intake with the extent of disease and pruritus. Methods: Twenty-nine outpatients (15 females and 14 males) with stable chronic plaque psoriasis of moderate severity were recruited. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the degree of pruritus (visual analogue scale) were compared with measures of drinking habits as determined by the Lifetime Drinking History (LDH), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and whole-blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth), an alcohol-specific biomarker. Results: The majority of patients were social drinkers with moderate alcohol consumption as determined by PEth and LDH. Alcohol consumption correlated significantly with the PASI score. There was no correlation between alcohol use and pruritus. Conclusion: The level of alcohol consumption is correlated with the extent of psoriasis.