Immunoregulatory Mechanisms and Stress Hormones in Psoriasis (Part 1)

In a study from 1998 involving 70 chronic psoriasis patients and 50 control subjects, Bea A. Weigl, MD, found that stress hormones, particularly cortisol, are implicated in the activity phases of psoriasis. The two-year study revealed that during inactive phases, patients had elevated antibacterial titres and normal immunological parameters. However, during active phases, 25 patients showed significant changes including elevated serum cortisol, decreased epinephrine, alterations in immunoglobulin levels (IgM, IgG, IgE), complement components (C3, C4), T4:T8 ratio, and streptococcal titres. These results suggest that stress-induced glucocorticoid production may lead to immunosuppressive phases and subsequent psoriasis eruptions.