Psoriasis and Sleep Disturbance: A US Population-Based Study Using the NHANES Database.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects approximately 3.0% of the US population, with patients often experiencing significant sleep disturbances. These disturbances include a higher prevalence of conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia. Given the additional risks for cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and depression linked to both poor sleep and psoriasis, addressing sleep issues in this patient group is critical. METHODS: The study utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, focusing on individuals aged ≥ 20 years who provided information on psoriasis status and sleep. Multistage stratified survey methodology was applied, with multivariable logistic regression models used to examine the association between psoriasis and sleep issues, adjusting for factors such as age, gender, and health history. RESULTS: Psoriasis diagnosis was significantly associated with trouble sleeping (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44-2.45). There was no significant association between psoriasis and sleep quantity. Older age, female gender, and a history of sleep disorders were predictors of trouble sleeping among psoriasis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis is significantly associated with sleep disturbances, independent of sleep duration. This underscores the need for clinical screening focusing on sleep quality rather than quantity in psoriasis patients to effectively identify and treat sleep-related comorbidities. Further research using objective sleep measures is warranted to guide clinical management and improve patient quality of life.

The Role of Genetics on Psoriasis Susceptibility, Comorbidities, and Treatment Response.

This review highlights advances made in psoriasis genetics, including findings from genome-wide association studies, exome-sequencing studies, and copy number variant studies. The impact of genetic variants on various comorbidities and therapeutic responses is discussed.

Mendelian Randomization Studies in Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review.

Prior studies have found associations between atopic dermatitis (AD) and comorbidities, including depression, obesity, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Although observational studies often cannot establish robust causality between potential risk factors and AD, Mendelian randomization minimizes confounding when exploring causality by relying on random allelic assortment at birth. In this study, we systematically reviewed 30 Mendelian randomization studies in AD. Body mass index, gut microbial flora, the IL-18 signaling pathway, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were among the causal factors for AD, whereas AD was causal for several medical conditions, including heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, and conjunctivitis. These insights may improve preventive counseling in AD.

Convenience Sampling Yields No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Free-Ranging Mammalian Wildlife in Arizona, USA, 2021-23.

Susceptibility of free-ranging US wildlife to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been documented. Nasal or oral swabs and blood from 337 wild mammals (31 species) in Arizona USA, tested for antibodies and by reverse-transcription PCR, did not reveal evidence of SARS-CoV-2. Broader surveillance efforts are necessary to understand the role of wildlife.

Field Observations of Body Temperature for the Wolf Spider, Rabidosa rabida (Araneae: Lycosidae), Differ From Reported Laboratory Temperature Preference Suggesting Thermoconforming Behavior.

Temperature affects all aspects of ectotherm ecology, behavior, and physiology. Descriptions of thermal ecology are important for understanding ecology in changing thermal environments. Both laboratory and field estimates are important for understanding thermal ecology. Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer 1837) (Araneae: Lycosidae) is a large wolf spider with some natural history, including laboratory estimates of thermal preference, tolerance, and performance, reported in the scientific literature. Laboratory tests suggest the active choice of temperature environment. To test published estimates of thermal ecology from the laboratory, we took body temperature measurements of mature spiders in the field nocturnally and diurnally using a FLIR camera in July 2019. We made comparisons between sexes and activity periods using field observations. We compared these measurements with the published values for thermal preferences and thermal maximum and with mean weather station data. Observed field temperatures differed significantly from published preference, but not from mean temperature from a local weather station. This suggests that this species is thermoconforming rather than actively thermoregulating. Reported thermal preference fell between the diurnal and nocturnal mean measurements closer to the diurnal than nocturnal temperatures. These field observations show how important it is to make field observations for physiology and thermal ecology. Maximum observed diurnal temperatures closely approached the published critical thermal maximum. We observed spiders performing behaviors such as hunting and feeding in conditions well above published thermal preference and near-critical high temperature. These observations suggest that R. rabida is thermoconforming in this limited period but does not rule out that they might thermoregulate in certain situations.