Psoriasis fylgir hætta á hjartasjúkdómum

Consensus document urges increased awareness of vascular risk in psoriasis.

MedWire

(12/24, Crofskey) reported that, according to a consensus paper published in the Dec. 15 issue of the

American Journal of Cardiology

, "patients with moderate to severe psoriasis should be informed of their increased vascular risk and thoroughly assessed for risk factors."  In the document, an "expert panel" noted that "a link between psoriasis and cardiovascular risk was first proposed in 1961, and that many subsequent studies have reinforced the link."  Their "paper lists a number of possible mediating factors, giving particular attention to systemic inflammation."  Therefore, the "panelists recommend alerting patients to their raised vascular risk if they have moderate to severe psoriasis or mild psoriasis plus a recognized vascular risk factor, such as abdominal obesity or hypertension.  Such patients should undergo thorough and regular vascular risk assessments."  In addition, the paper "lays out which psoriasis therapies may increase vascular risk, and thus require careful monitoring."

Sortuæxlum fjölgar í Bretlandi

U.K. passes Australia in number of annual melanoma deaths, article says.

Australia's

Herald Sun

(12/20, Miranda) reported that the U.K. "has passed Australia in the number of annual malignant melanoma deaths."  According to "figures released by Cancer Research U.K...the popularity of" vacations abroad in warm and sunny places "contributed to a massive rise in skin cancers, particularly among older people."  Currently, "more than 9500 people in the U.K. a year are now being diagnosed with malignant melanomas," and about 1,800 people die from that disease.  Still "another 500 Britons die each year from other forms of skin cancer."  The U.K. is now preparing "to launch a campaign to educate people about the dangers of sun-chasing holidays abroad."  Meanwhile, "the British Association of Dermatologists found because the weather was normally so bleak in the U.K., Britons desperate for a healthy glow overdid it and burnt on the few days it was bright."

Sólargeislarnir eru sterkir í skíðabrekkunum

UV rays said to be more damaging on ski slopes than at the beach.

KMGH-TV

Denver (12/16), an ABC affiliate, reported that "the combination of higher altitude and ultraviolet (UV) rays reflected by the snow puts skiers and snowboarders at an increased risk of sun damage and ultimately, skin cancer." While it "is easy to associate winter with frostbite and windburn... most people are unaware that UV rays can be even more damaging on the slopes than on the beach." That's because "UV exposure increases eight to10 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level." In addition, "snow reflects about 80 percent of the UV light from the sun, meaning that you are often hit by the same rays twice." Winter sports enthusiasts should "use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher," and "apply [it] 30 minutes before hitting the slopes," even on cloudy days, and wear a "lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher."