Psoriasis and Metabolic Disorders: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Million Adults Worldwide.

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, and metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, have long been recognized as distinct clinical entities. However, emerging evidence suggests a complex bidirectional relationship between these seemingly unrelated conditions. Psoriasis is characterized by an accelerated skin cell turnover, resulting in the formation of erythematous plaques with silvery scales. Metabolic disorders, on the other hand, encompass a range of conditions associated with abnormal metabolic processes, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and chronic low-grade inflammation. It is intriguing to note that psoriasis is commonly associated with several metabolic comorbidities, with a higher prevalence observed in individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Mounting evidence suggests that chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in both psoriasis and metabolic disorders. Shared inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both conditions. Moreover, adipose tissue-derived hormones, known as adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin, exert modulatory effects on immune responses and may contribute to the link between psoriasis and metabolic abnormalities. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search across databases identified 16 eligible studies (1975-2023), totaling 6,623,379 participants. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed observational studies focusing on adults and specified outcomes. Data extraction, quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS)), meta-analyses, and heterogeneity evaluations were conducted using rigorous methods. Psoriasis displayed a significant association with diabetes mellitus (DM, 18% increased incidence), hypertension (HTN, 35%), hyperlipidemia (19%), and obesity (25%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed in meta-analyses, particularly for DM. The NOS indicated varied study quality, with some studies categorized as a high or moderate risk of bias.

Which Volunteering Settings Do Medical Students Prefer During a Novel Respiratory Virus Pandemic? A Cross-Sectional Study of Multiple Colleges in Central Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: Novel respiratory virus outbreaks are a recurring public health concern. Volunteering medical students can be a valuable asset during such times. This study investigated the willingness of medical students to volunteer during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the barriers to doing so, considering the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 and mode of contact. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire adapted from the literature. The questionnaire comprised four parts: demographic variables, COVID-19-related variables, willingness scale, and barrier scale. The target population was medical students at four different colleges in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 802 students participated in the study. A small proportion of students (10.6%) were willing to participate in volunteering activities that could involve contact with patients with COVID-19 as compared to other settings (39.4-43.4%). More than one-quarter of students (26.8%) had risk factors for severe COVID-19. The main barrier to volunteering was the concern of transmitting the infection to family members (76.8%). Registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was positively associated with more willingness to volunteer (ß=0.17, p <0.001), whereas residing in a household with an elderly person was negatively associated (ß=-0.13, p <0.001). Female sex was positively associated with higher barrier score (ß=0.12, p <0.001). Conclusion: Medical students were more willing to volunteer in activities that did not involve direct contact with patients with COVID-19. A considerable proportion of participants had risk factors for severe illness. Sharing a household with an elderly person or child was associated with lower willingness to volunteer. Organizers of volunteering activities should offer various volunteering options considering the risk of infection; and be mindful of barriers to volunteering, especially risk factors for severe illness and eldercare and childcare responsibilities.