D3.250 - Changes in eating behavior in children with psoriasis during biological therapy depending on epicardial adipose tissue thickness

Psoriasis is a common disease with a significant impact on quality of life. The objective of our study was to examine the dynamics of eating behavior in children with psoriasis depending on epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness during biological therapy.

Two groups of children with psoriasis (aged 6-17 years), with a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score ≥12, were formed. Group allocation was performed following echocardiography with assessment of EAT thickness. Patients with EAT thickness < 2.5 mm constituted Group 1, those with EAT ≥ 2.5 mm constituted Group 2. All patients completed the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), which was used to assess the tendency towards restrictive (Restrictive EB), emotional (Emotional EB) and external (External EB) eating behavior patterns. Assessments were performed at weeks 0, 16 and 32 of therapy. All patients received biological therapy with ustekinumab, secukinumab or adalimumab. The significance of differences in values and frequency of manifestation between groups were assessed using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Changes were considered significant at p≤0.05.

At week 0, patients in Group 1 showed a tendency towards Emotional EB and External EB, but did not demonstrate a tendency towards Restrictive EB. At weeks 16 and 32 of therapy, no significant changes in eating behavior tendencies were observed in Group 1. In Group 2, a tendency towards all types of disordered eating behavior was noted at week 0. By week 16, positive trend was observed, it did not reach statistical significance. By week 32, a continued decrease in scores was noted: Restrictive EB to median of 2.1 points (Q1 – 1.9; Q3 – 2.3), Emotional EB to 2.0 points (1.8; 2.3), and External EB decreased to 2.4 points (2.2; 2.8). Comparison with week 0 values showed a significant reduction in Restrictive EB (p=0.022) and External EB (p=0.037), with no significant change in Emotional EB (p=0.067).

An EAT thickness ≥ 2.5 mm may be a potential marker indicating disordered eating behavior in children with psoriasis. The use of biological therapy in children with psoriasis and EAT thickness ≥ 2.5 mm may positively influence changes in eating behavior. Further research is needed for a precise assessment of the influence of individual factors.