Low Fitness in Late Adolescence Linked to Higher Psoriasis Risk Later in Life

We often associate fitness with preventing heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, but its influence goes further. Fitness in late adolescence can impact your risk of developing conditions like psoriasis, a chronic skin disease affecting millions. Psoriasis, known for causing red, scaly patches on the skin, isn’t usually linked to fitness, but research suggests it could be.

In 2021, a longitudinal cohort study published in PLOS ONE brought attention to a surprising connection between fitness levels in late adolescence and the risk of developing psoriasis later in life. The findings revealed just how much our physical health in late adolescence can influence long-term outcomes in unexpected ways.

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The Study At A Glance

The study investigated whether low cardiorespiratory fitness in late adolescence is linked to a higher risk of developing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis later in life. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, recognizable by its red, scaly patches, while psoriatic arthritis affects the joints. 

Researchers aimed to see if poor adolescent fitness could predict these conditions, exploring the degree of importance of early fitness in preventing long-term health issues.

The research involved over 1.2 million 18-year old Swedish men who were conscripted for military service between 1968 and 2005. All participants underwent a fitness test on a stationary bicycle to measure their cardiorespiratory fitness. Based on their performance, the men were classified into three groups: low, medium, and high fitness, covering a wide range of fitness levels.

The study tracked the men for up to 48 years, linking fitness data to health records to identify cases of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Over time, more than 20,000 cases of psoriasis and 6,000 of psoriatic arthritis were documented. By controlling for factors like body mass index (BMI), researchers isolated fitness as a key factor in disease development.

The long-term nature of the study revealed how fitness in late adolescence can shape health. Though it didn't account for smoking, a known risk factor, its large sample and extensive follow-up made it a significant contribution to understanding the link between fitness and autoimmune diseases.

The Findings of the Study 

Men with low fitness levels at age 18 were 35% more likely to develop psoriasis compared to men with high fitness levels. Those with low fitness were also 44% more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis than those with high fitness levels. Of the 1.2 million men they studied, 20,679 developed psoriasis during the follow-up period. Additionally, 6,133 men developed psoriatic arthritis.

The study adjusted for factors like body weight (BMI) to clarify that fitness levels significantly contributed to the increased risk of developing these conditions. Men with medium fitness levels also had a moderately higher risk than the high fitness group, but the risk was less pronounced than in the low fitness group.

Significance of the Findings

This study deepens our understanding of how fitness in adolescence affects long-term health, particularly autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. While past research focused on the role of fitness in heart disease and diabetes, this study shows that poor fitness in late adolescence also raises the risk of autoimmune conditions, broadening the impact of early-life fitness.

What makes this research unique is its finding that low fitness in late adolescence may actively increase the risk of developing these diseases later in life, unlike earlier studies that found low fitness only after psoriasis onset. This suggests a person’s level of fitness could be an early indicator of autoimmune disease risk, helping healthcare providers offer preventive care to those at higher risk.

The study highlights the need to promote fitness in adolescents as part of disease prevention, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular and autoimmune conditions. It also opens new avenues for research into whether improving fitness in youth could lower the risk of autoimmune diseases, stressing the importance of early fitness assessments.

Limitations of the Study 

The study shows a link between low fitness and psoriasis but doesn’t prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, as other factors like genetics or environment could also be involved. It cannot confirm whether increasing fitness would reduce disease risk.

The study didn’t track fitness changes over time or account for smoking, a known psoriasis risk factor. Future research should monitor long-term fitness and lifestyle factors like smoking to understand better the potential for fitness improvements to lower disease risk.

Diagnosing Psoriasis

Psoriasis diagnosis is primarily clinical; it is based on observing characteristic skin lesions, including red, scaly patches on the skin and differentiating them from other skin lesions. 

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Key Takeaways

• Men with low fitness at age 18 faced a 35% higher risk of developing psoriasis and a 44% higher risk of psoriatic arthritis later, showing the long-term impact of adolescent fitness on autoimmune disease risk.

• Maintaining fitness in adolescence may reduce the risk of not only heart disease and diabetes but also autoimmune diseases, highlighting the broader importance of early physical activity.

• Promoting fitness during adolescence could play a key role in long-term disease prevention, extending beyond well-known conditions to include autoimmune diseases.