Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is associated with improved outcomes in patients with psoriasis, according to a review published online Jan. 12 in BMC Surgery.
Dimitrios Kehagias, M.D., Ph.D., from the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the United Kingdom, and colleagues reviewed the current evidence on psoriasis outcomes following MBS. Six studies with 447 patients were included; demographic data were available for 159.
The researchers found the pooled body mass index reduction was 11.0 ± 3.3 kg/m2. Baseline therapies included systemic, topical, and phototherapy in 53%, 44%, and 5% of patients, respectively. Systemic therapy reduced to 34% after surgery, topical reduced to 39%, and no treatment was required by 29%. There was a decrease in the Dermatology Life Quality Index, from 14.9 to 5.0; the percentage of affected body surface area decreased from 5.7 to 1.7; the Psoriasis Area Severity Index decreased from 3.6 to 1.2; and there was a reduction in nail involvement from 43.8 to 21.9%.
Improvement or remission of psoriasis was demonstrated by 69.5% of individuals, which was mainly defined by reduced or discontinued treatment. In 80% of gastric bypass cases and 10% after nonbypass surgery, there was improvement or remission. Greater excess weight loss, older age, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and absence of family history of psoriasis were factors related to improved clinical response.
“Preliminary findings suggest a positive association between MBS and psoriasis outcomes, supporting the need for well-designed, large, prospective, controlled studies to provide definitive evidence,” the authors write.
More information
Dimitrios Kehagias et al, Psoriasis outcomes following metabolic bariatric surgery – a systematic review of the literature, BMC Surgery (2026). DOI: 10.1186/s12893-026-03502-1
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