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Fat around the waist could raise psoriasis risk, especially in women

Fat around the waist could raise psoriasis risk, especially in women

If you've been trying to manage belly fat, here's another reason to take it seriously, especially if you're a woman. According to a large new study titled 'Investigating the Genetic Basis of the Influence of Adiposity on Psoriasis', published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, researchers have found that fat stored around the waist may significantly increase the risk of developing psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. And this link holds up even if you're genetically predisposed to the condition.
The study analysed data from over 336,000 people in the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database and research resource, including 9,305 individuals with psoriasis. Using 25 different measures of body fat, the study found that central or abdominal fat, more than total body fat, was most strongly associated with psoriasis. The effect was notably stronger in women, raising fresh questions about how body fat distribution influences disease risk and how prevention strategies should be designed.
What is psoriasis and how does body fat influence it?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin and can significantly affect physical and emotional well-being. People with psoriasis often have higher levels of body fat, and previous studies have shown that obesity increases the risk and severity of the disease. However, this new research dives deeper, examining not just how much fat you carry, but where it's located.
Why does belly fat affect women more when it comes to psoriasis?
According to the researchers, the effect of abdominal fat on psoriasis was significantly stronger in women than in men. They highlighted that it was because of the hormonal and immune system differences that can make fat storage and inflammation patterns vary by sex. For example, visceral fat, which is deeper and more inflammatory, was more strongly linked to psoriasis in women.
The researchers tested the relationship between central fat and psoriasis across different genetic risk profiles, including those with and without the common HLA-C*06:02 psoriasis gene.
The study has called for including waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in the standard part of psoriasis care.
How common is psoriasis in India and how is it diagnosed?
In India, the prevalence of psoriasis among adults varies between 0.44 per cent and 2.8 per cent, according to multiple studies.
Diagnosing psoriasis involves:
Clinical examination: Dermatologists assess skin, scalp, and nails for characteristic lesions
Medical history review: Evaluating family history and potential triggers
Skin biopsy: In uncertain cases, a small skin sample is examined microscopically to confirm the diagnosis
Cost: The cost of diagnostic procedures varies based on the facility and location. For instance, in Delhi, consultation and basic diagnostic tests can range from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. Skin biopsy (if required) may cost ₹1,500–₹5,000 depending on the facility.
What are the treatment options and costs for psoriasis in India?
Topical therapies (for mild to moderate cases):
Corticosteroid creams
Vitamin D analogues
Coal tar preparations
Salicylic acid
PsoriaCIM – a herbal alternative developed by CSIR-CIMAP
Cost: ₹200 to ₹800 per tube
Phototherapy (for moderate cases):
Narrowband UVB therapy
PUVA therapy
Cost: Available at dermatology clinics, hospitals, each session costs between ₹1,500 and ₹3,000. Patients may require 10–30 sessions based on severity.
Systemic medications (for moderate to severe cases):
Methotrexate, cyclosporine, retinoids
Requires regular liver/kidney tests
Cost: Approximately ₹500 to ₹2,000 per month. But this treatment also involves regular liver/kidney function tests which will be an additional ₹1,000–₹2,500/month.
Biologic therapies (for severe or resistant cases):
Secukinumab, adalimumab, etanercept, ustekinumab (Stelara), biosimilars
Cost: Available mostly at Tier 1 cities and tertiary care centres biologics can be expensive, with treatments like Stelara costing around ₹2,00,000 per course. However, biosimilars developed by Indian companies like Biocon Biologics aim to offer more affordable options.
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A UK health study has collected a whopping 100,000 full-body scans, and Neanderthals had ‘family recipes'
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The Print

time6 days ago

  • The Print

A UK health study has collected a whopping 100,000 full-body scans, and Neanderthals had ‘family recipes'

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB

Time of India

time07-07-2025

  • Time of India

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB

New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Vice President of CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Phenome India " National Biobank " at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in the national capital today. The newly launched facility marks a significant stride towards building India's own longitudinal health database and enabling personalised treatment regimens in future, said the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Biobank will serve as the backbone of a nationwide cohort study, collecting comprehensive genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data from 10,000 individuals across India. Drawing inspiration from the UK Biobank model, the Indian version is tailored to capture the country's unique diversity across geography, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. Researchers believe the initiative will aid early diagnosis, improve therapeutic targeting, and bolster the fight against complex diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and rare genetic disorders, the Ministry added. "Today, we hold the promise of a future where every Indian may receive individualised treatment tailored to their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment," Dr. Jitendra Singh said while addressing the scientists and researchers at IGIB. "This transition to personalised healthcare is no longer theoretical--it is becoming reality, driven by indigenous innovations." Reflecting on the unique health challenges faced by Indians, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the high prevalence of central obesity, a risk factor often underestimated. He highlighted past research showing that seemingly lean Indians may carry disproportionate fat around their waist, underlining the need for population-specific health strategies. "Our conditions are complex and deeply heterogeneous. This is where the Biobank becomes vital--it allows us to decode that complexity," he said. The Minister emphasised that India's scientific landscape is evolving rapidly, citing recent advances in quantum technology, CRISPR-based genome editing, and the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). "India is no longer lagging behind--we are among the early adopters, sometimes even ahead," he said. The Biobank, he added, will complement these efforts by generating the kind of high-resolution data that can power AI-driven diagnostics and gene-guided therapies. Dr. Jitendra Singh also called for deeper collaboration between research institutions, government departments like the Department of Biotechnology, and industry partners, particularly in areas such as AMR and drug development. "Research must extend beyond the lab--it must find takers in the market and beneficiaries in society," he noted. The Phenome India Project , under which the Biobank has been launched, is designed to be a long-term, data-rich study tracking the health trajectories of individuals over several years. It will help scientists uncover disease patterns, gene-environment interactions, and response to therapies--all within the Indian context. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, commended the launch of the Biobank as a bold step toward India's self-reliance in healthcare data. Describing the initiative as a "baby step" with the potential to evolve into a global benchmark, she noted that the diversity and depth of the Indian cohort data could one day rival or even surpass global counterparts like the UK Biobank. Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted CSIR's holistic efforts in areas like sickle cell anaemia through indigenous CRISPR-based therapies, affordable diagnostics, and collaborative interventions with tribal communities, while urging IGIB scientists to continue setting national examples in data-driven, people-centric research. Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director of CSIR-IGIB , reflected on the institute's pioneering role in genomics over the past two decades. "We were the first institute in India to begin decoding the human genome at a time when sequencing tools were practically non-existent," he said. Highlighting achievements such as the development of over 300 genetic diagnostics for rare disorders, extensive work on COVID-19 genome sequencing, and the launch of India's first drug genome project, he emphasised IGIB's mission of using global technologies to solve local health challenges. Dr. Maiti also pointed to ongoing work on women-centric studies, breast cancer genomics, and the development of indigenous CRISPR-based therapies for sickle cell disease, adding that IGIB's research now extends to domains like space biology and AI-based pilot fitness assessments in collaboration with the Indian Air Force. (ANI)

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB

India Gazette

time06-07-2025

  • India Gazette

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB

New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Vice President of CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Phenome India 'National Biobank' at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in the national capital today. The newly launched facility marks a significant stride towards building India's own longitudinal health database and enabling personalised treatment regimens in future, said the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Biobank will serve as the backbone of a nationwide cohort study, collecting comprehensive genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data from 10,000 individuals across India. Drawing inspiration from the UK Biobank model, the Indian version is tailored to capture the country's unique diversity across geography, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. Researchers believe the initiative will aid early diagnosis, improve therapeutic targeting, and bolster the fight against complex diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and rare genetic disorders, the Ministry added. 'Today, we hold the promise of a future where every Indian may receive individualised treatment tailored to their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment,' Dr. Jitendra Singh said while addressing the scientists and researchers at IGIB. 'This transition to personalised healthcare is no longer theoretical--it is becoming reality, driven by indigenous innovations.' Reflecting on the unique health challenges faced by Indians, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the high prevalence of central obesity, a risk factor often underestimated. He highlighted past research showing that seemingly lean Indians may carry disproportionate fat around their waist, underlining the need for population-specific health strategies. 'Our conditions are complex and deeply heterogeneous. This is where the Biobank becomes vital--it allows us to decode that complexity,' he said. The Minister emphasised that India's scientific landscape is evolving rapidly, citing recent advances in quantum technology, CRISPR-based genome editing, and the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 'India is no longer lagging behind--we are among the early adopters, sometimes even ahead,' he said. The Biobank, he added, will complement these efforts by generating the kind of high-resolution data that can power AI-driven diagnostics and gene-guided therapies. Dr. Jitendra Singh also called for deeper collaboration between research institutions, government departments like the Department of Biotechnology, and industry partners, particularly in areas such as AMR and drug development. 'Research must extend beyond the lab--it must find takers in the market and beneficiaries in society,' he noted. The Phenome India Project, under which the Biobank has been launched, is designed to be a long-term, data-rich study tracking the health trajectories of individuals over several years. It will help scientists uncover disease patterns, gene-environment interactions, and response to therapies--all within the Indian context. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, commended the launch of the Biobank as a bold step toward India's self-reliance in healthcare data. Describing the initiative as a 'baby step' with the potential to evolve into a global benchmark, she noted that the diversity and depth of the Indian cohort data could one day rival or even surpass global counterparts like the UK Biobank. Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted CSIR's holistic efforts in areas like sickle cell anaemia through indigenous CRISPR-based therapies, affordable diagnostics, and collaborative interventions with tribal communities, while urging IGIB scientists to continue setting national examples in data-driven, people-centric research. Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director of CSIR-IGIB, reflected on the institute's pioneering role in genomics over the past two decades. 'We were the first institute in India to begin decoding the human genome at a time when sequencing tools were practically non-existent,' he said. Highlighting achievements such as the development of over 300 genetic diagnostics for rare disorders, extensive work on COVID-19 genome sequencing, and the launch of India's first drug genome project, he emphasised IGIB's mission of using global technologies to solve local health challenges. Dr. Maiti also pointed to ongoing work on women-centric studies, breast cancer genomics, and the development of indigenous CRISPR-based therapies for sickle cell disease, adding that IGIB's research now extends to domains like space biology and AI-based pilot fitness assessments in collaboration with the Indian Air Force. (ANI)

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