Reference: May 2026 | Issue 5 | Vol 12 | Page 15
A summary of highlights from the EADV Congress 2025, which was held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, 17-70 September 2025
Over 20,000 delegates attended the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025 in Paris, marking a record-setting attendance to date. The event featured over 180 sessions, 600 speakers, and highlighted a major shift in dermatology toward early, targeted systemic treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
New data reinforced the effectiveness of biologics and Janus kinase/selective tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitors across conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa, with evidence supporting long-term disease control and improved quality of life.
A second major theme was the recognition of dermatologic diseases as multisystem disorders requiring holistic, integrated care. Strong links were presented between skin conditions and cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and mental health, including increased psychiatric risk in atopic dermatitis.
The congress also emphasised personalised medicine, microbiome research, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in dermatology, reflecting a broader move toward integrated, patient-centred care that combines clinical innovation with long-term disease management.
Psoriasis linked to increased risk of AMD
New research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2025 revealed that people with psoriasis face a significantly increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of sight loss in Ireland for people over 50, affecting more than 60,000 individuals across the country.
It is well established that the chronic, inflammatory nature of psoriasis contributes to comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This study is among the largest to date investigating whether psoriasis also predisposes individuals to AMD.
Dr Alison Treichel, University of Rochester, New York, and her team conducted a 15-year retrospective cohort study using data from the US TriNetX collaborative network. The study included 22,901 patients over the age of 55 with psoriasis, and compared their outcomes with three propensity-matched control groups:
- Individuals with melanocytic nevi (MN) to represent other dermatology patients
- Patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) to account for chronic disease and healthcare use
- Patients who had undergone an ophthalmologic exam to ensure comparable opportunities for AMD diagnosis.
Individuals with a prior diagnosis of AMD were excluded. In a separate analysis, psoriasis patients treated with biologics were compared to those treated with topical corticosteroids who had not received biologics before or during the follow-up period.
Over the 10-year follow-up period, people with psoriasis had a higher likelihood of developing AMD compared with patients in the MDD and MN cohorts, with a 56 per cent and 21 per cent increased risk, respectively. Looking at the two main forms of AMD – exudative (wet) and non-exudative (dry) – psoriasis was associated with a 40 per cent and 13 per cent higher risk, respectively, compared with the MDD cohort.
“Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease in which lipid dysregulation contributes to cardiovascular disease,” explained Dr Treichel. “Because abnormal lipid deposition in the retina is a hallmark of AMD, particularly the dry form that causes progressive vision loss, it is biologically plausible that psoriasis could increase AMD risk. Our study is the first to demonstrate a novel association between psoriasis and non-exudative AMD, and serves as a hypothesis generating observation for future studies.”
Notably, psoriasis patients treated with biologic therapies had a 27 per cent lower risk of developing AMD compared with biologic-naïve patients treated with topical corticosteroids only. “Our findings support a connection between psoriasis and AMD, both exudative and non-exudative, which could be mediated by shared lipid dysregulation,” Dr Treichel said.
“They also suggest that biologic therapies could offer protective benefits beyond skin symptoms. Further research is needed to determine whether these treatments have a true disease-modifying effect and to better understand the role of shared risk factors, including smoking, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and access to specialist care.”
Dr Treichel emphasised that individuals with psoriasis should remain vigilant. “Patients with psoriasis should continue to follow standard eye exam guidelines and promptly report any changes in their vision to their healthcare providers. More research is needed before specific screening recommendations can be made.”
Looking ahead, the research team plans to build on these findings by analysing retinal imaging data from psoriasis patients to better characterise ocular abnormalities, define the prevalence of AMD, and evaluate the long-term effects of biologic therapy on disease progression.
Atopic eczema linked to significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts
A new international study presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2025 revealed that adults with atopic eczema are significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, with researchers uncovering the key factors driving this elevated risk.
As one of the largest global investigations to examine the link between atopic eczema and suicidal ideation, the ‘Scars of Life’ study surveyed 30,801 adults across 27 countries in 2024. Among them, 15,223 were adults with physician-confirmed current atopic eczema, while 7,968 adults without atopic eczema served as controls.
Participants with existing atopic eczema were grouped by age of atopic eczema onset – childhood, adolescence, or adulthood – and completed a detailed online questionnaire capturing sociodemographic information, self-reported suicidal ideation, severity of itch and skin pain, eczema severity, and experiences of skin-related stigmatisation.
The results showed that 13.2 per cent of adults with atopic eczema reported suicidal ideation, compared with 8.5 per cent of adults without atopic eczema. All atopic eczema subgroups – whether the condition began in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood – had higher odds of suicidal ideation than controls, highlighting the widespread mental health burden of the condition.
Atopic eczema, characterised by recurring episodes of dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, affects more than 200 million people worldwide. In Ireland, roughly one in five children and up to 10 per cent of adults suffer from atopic eczema, making it one of the country’s most common chronic conditions.
Beyond the physical symptoms, its impact on mental health is increasingly recognised, with many experiencing anxiety, depression, and social stigma alongside the daily challenges of managing their condition. Importantly, the study identified several factors strongly associated with suicidal ideation in adults with atopic eczema.
Younger adults, particularly those under 30, were more likely to report suicidal thoughts (OR=1.6), as were individuals with obesity (OR=1.29). Clinical features also played a major role: Moderate to severe atopic eczema doubled the odds of suicidal ideation (OR=2.01), while pruritus (itching), skin pain, and high overall symptom intensity were all significantly associated with increased risk.
Psychosocial and sleep factors further contributed to risk. Adults with suicidal thoughts reported higher levels of stigmatisation and more prevalent sleep disorders, with mixed insomnia – difficulty falling and staying asleep – notably linked to suicidal ideation (OR=1.78).
The study was conducted by La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique in collaboration with international experts in atopic dermatitis – Prof Jonathan Silverberg, Associate Professor of Dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC, served as the lead expert.
Multiple patient associations and experts took part in the collaboration. The cross-sectional observational study was conducted between June and September 2024, involving 30,801 adults from 27 countries across five continents. This project aimed to create a comprehensive international database to evaluate the psychosocial burden of atopic eczema.
Dr Delphine Kerob, Consultant Dermatologist, Saint Louis hospital, Paris, France, and one of the lead researchers, said: “These findings reveal a critical insight from our large-scale study, which seeks to uncover the hidden, long-term impact of living with common inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic eczema. The results highlight that the effects of atopic eczema are more than skin deep, with suicidal thoughts representing a serious and frequent concern that is often overlooked by healthcare professionals.
“By identifying the main risk factors behind suicidal ideation in this population, we hope this study will help healthcare professionals better recognise and address these challenges, supporting patients’ overall wellbeing more effectively.”
Discussing the next steps for research, Dr Kerob continued: “Looking ahead, we are investigating why suicidal ideation occurs at different rates across countries, which may reflect important cultural differences. At the same time, ongoing analyses from the ‘Scars of Life’ study are enhancing our understanding of what happens beneath the surface in patients with atopic eczema.”
GLP-1RA drugs dramatically reduce death and cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients
Psoriasis patients treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) face a 78 per cent lower risk of death and a 44 per cent lower risk of major cardiovascular events compared to those taking other diabetes or weight-loss medications, new research has concluded. The study – the largest of its kind to date – was presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2025. Researchers also found that GLP-1RAs significantly reduced the risk of alcohol abuse by 65 per cent and substance abuse by nearly 50 per cent among this cohort.
Psoriasis, the chronic skin condition affecting 2-3 per cent of the population, is linked not only to visible symptoms, but also to higher risks of heart attack, stroke, and psychiatric issues, including depression, anxiety, and increased alcohol or substance use.
Although GLP-1RAs including semaglutide and liraglutide are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, this emerging evidence suggests they may also offer important benefits for psoriasis patients.
The international research team retrieved data from a database of more than 110 million patients in the United States. Outcomes were compared for more than 6,000 psoriasis patients with diabetes or obesity over a two-year period, including 3,048 who were treated with GLP-1RAs and 3,048 who received other anti-diabetic or anti-obesity drugs.
Patients included in the retrospective cohort analysis were over 18 years old, had a confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis requiring systemic therapy, and had received continuous treatment with either a GLP-1RA or an alternative anti-diabetic or anti-obesity medication for at least 24 months. After matching for age, sex, and comorbidities, the benefits of GLP-1RAs were clear and consistent across all sensitivity analyses, using propensity score matching to control for potential confounders.
Prof Ralf Ludwig, Professor and Director at the Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany, and lead author of the study, said: “Our findings suggest that GLP-1 RAs may offer benefits beyond their effects on weight and glucose control, particularly for cardiovascular and psychiatric outcomes in people with psoriasis.
“We hypothesise that GLP-1 receptor activation may inhibit proinflammatory mediators, which are elevated in people with psoriasis. Additionally, GLP-1 receptors are expressed in parts of the brain involved in mood and the reward system, which could explain the reductions we observed in alcohol and substance use.”
Attendees heard that these benefits appeared especially pronounced in psoriasis patients compared with matched controls, suggesting a possible synergy between systemic inflammation in psoriasis and the mechanisms of GLP-1RAs. Safety outcomes were consistent with those seen in the general population, with no significant increase in adverse effects such as hypoglycaemia, nausea, or constipation.
“Given their safety profile and the range of benefits observed, GLP-1RAs could become a preferred treatment for people with psoriasis who also require therapy for diabetes or weight management,” Prof Ludwig continued.
“Psoriasis management has traditionally focused on controlling skin symptoms, but these findings emphasise the need to consider the wider health risks faced by patients. GLP-1RAs may offer a valuable dual benefit, improving both metabolic control and long-term health outcomes, representing an important step forward in holistic care for people living with psoriasis.”
