Psoriasis is associated with lipid abnormalities at the onset of skin disease

Psoriasis appears to have increased cardiovascular morbidity. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. Multiple factors, including systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, aberrant lipid profile, and concomitant established risk factors, have been discussed. However, previous studies consist of heterogeneous patient materials, including persons with highly varying disease duration and treatment.

Two-hundred patients were investigated at the onset of psoriasis, comparing plasma concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins with those of matched controls (N = 285).

Psoriasis patients manifest significant lipid abnormalities. Specifically, patients had significantly higher cholesterol concentrations in the very-low-density lipoprotein and high-density-lipoprotein fractions. Adjustment for established environmental risk factors did not affect the results.

The response rate among control subjects was low. However, an additional analysis of a random subset of nonresponders demonstrated no substantial differences in the main results.

The study supports the notion that lipid abnormalities in psoriasis may be genetically determined rather than acquired.