Kim Kardashian Describes Her Illness as 'Painful'... Are the Wealthy More Prone to This Disease? [Health Talk]

[Financial News] A recent study has found that the incidence of the chronic inflammatory skin disease, psoriasis, is higher in affluent regions.
According to the New York Post on the 4th, an analysis published in the medical journal 'JAMA Dermatology' under the American Medical Association revealed that the number of psoriasis patients worldwide increased by 86%, from 23.1 million in 1990 to 43 million in 2021.
The study showed that, during the same period, the incidence rate rose by more than 10% in men and over 7% in women. Regionally, the highest rates were observed in high-income areas such as North America and Western Europe. In the United States alone, more than 7.5 million adults were affected by psoriasis.
Researchers explained that this trend is related to the high hygiene standards in wealthy countries. Excessively clean environments in affluent societies may reduce exposure to microbes or parasites, potentially weakening the immune systems of their populations.
They also noted that in wealthier nations, more active symptom reporting and well-established diagnostic systems could lead to higher reported rates than the actual incidence.
Kim Kardashian, a billionaire model and actress, and her mother Kris Jenner are also known to suffer from psoriasis. Kardashian has shared photos of her worsening psoriasis on social media, stating, 'Life is painful,' and added, 'Perhaps the stress of having so much to protect has made things even harder for me.'

Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which abnormal immune cell responses cause recurring inflammation and scaling of the skin. It typically appears as red, scaly patches on the elbows, knees, and scalp, often accompanied by itching. Stress, climate changes, and deteriorating health are known to be major aggravating factors.
According to Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), approximately 0.5% of the Korean population is estimated to have psoriasis. While effective treatment is important, careful management is also necessary even when lesions are absent or mild to prevent severe flare-ups.
Although the exact cause of psoriasis remains unclear, it is believed to result from a combination of abnormal immune responses, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors. Skin trauma, infections (such as tonsillitis), stress, and certain medications can trigger or worsen the condition.
Psoriasis is not contagious and is a lifelong autoimmune disease requiring ongoing management. Those with a family history are at higher risk of developing the condition.
Psoriasis manifests as red rashes on the skin, topped with layers of white scales. In severe cases, the rashes may merge or enlarge, and if the condition spreads extensively, the entire body can become covered with lesions.
Although there is no cure yet, symptoms can be alleviated with relatively mild treatments such as topical creams and medications, along with consistent management. Patients with temporarily worsened or severe lesions may require phototherapy or oral medications. If these treatments are ineffective, Biologics may be used, which more precisely regulate the immune abnormalities associated with psoriasis and provide excellent therapeutic results.
Even well-controlled psoriasis can relapse or worsen if treatment is discontinued or due to various external factors. Therefore, it is important to maintain proper management habits, such as moisturizing the skin, avoiding unnecessary irritation, managing stress and diet, and refraining from smoking and drinking.
moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter