The association between weight-adjusted-waist index and psoriasis: A cross-sectional study

Introduction This study explored the association between psoriasis and the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), a newly developed measure of adiposity. The research was conducted among adults in the United States. Methods Utilizing survey data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2009 to 2014, the present study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between psoriasis and WWI within a sample of 15,920 adult participants. Employing multivariable logistic regression and nonlinear curve fitting techniques, we analyzed this plausible association. Additionally, a subgroup analysis was conducted to ascertain the consistency across diverse populations. Results A significant positive association was discovered between psoriasis and WWI in the investigated sample of 15,920 adults. After conducting a comprehensive adjustment of the model, it was observed that each incremental unit of WWI was significantly associated with an 14% elevated likelihood of developing psoriasis (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.01–1.36). Moreover, individuals belonging to the highest quartile of WWI exhibited a 47% higher risk of psoriasis compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.01–2.06). This positive correlation remained consistent across various subgroups. The study also compared WWI with BMI and waist circumference, finding that WWI is a more stable metric of obesity. Conclusions Our study suggested that in US adults, there is a positive association between WWI and psoriasis. It also indicated that WWI showed potential as a valuable index of psoriasis among the general population.