Psoriasis in the United States: National and state-level trends in disease burden

Summary: Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease that significantly impacts physical and psychological well-being. We assessed national and state-level epidemiological trends of psoriasis across demographic groups in the US. Methods: Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 framework, we quantified age-standardized rates for incidence (ASIR), prevalence (ASPR), and disability-adjusted life years or DALY (ASDR) per 100,000. This analysis integrated national surveys, medical records, and claims databases using Bayesian meta-regression modeling (DisMod-MR 2.1). All estimates were reported with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Results: In 2021, an estimated 3.91 million individuals in the U.S. had psoriasis (95% UI: 3.83–3.98 million), a 15.7% increase since 2010. Incidence reached 380,893 cases (95% UI: 370,220–391,421), reflecting an 11.7% rise over the same period. DALYs increased by 13.9%. ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR increased from 2010, with a slightly higher burden in females than males. Temporal trends varied by age, with a slight decline in incidence among children under 5 years, remaining stable in adolescents, and a gradual increase in adults aged 25–49 years. The most significant rise occurred in older adults (60+ years). The highest incidence rates were reported in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, while the lowest was in New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. ASPR and ASDR followed the same pattern. Conclusion: The burden of psoriasis has steadily increased in the US, with notable variations by sex, age, and state. Further research is needed to identify the factors contributing to these differences across states and demographic groups. Hossein Akbarialiabad¹, Christopher G. Bunick², Mark Lebwohl³, Ayman Grada⁴ 1. Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. 2. Department of Dermatology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States. 3. Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States. 4. Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research