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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
11:39

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

Psoriasis and cardiovascular disease

Gino A Vena1, Michelangelo Vestita, Nicoletta Cassano

  • 12nd Dermatology Clinic, University of Bari, Policlinico, Bari, Italy. g.vena@dermatologia.uniba.it

Dermatologic Therapy
|April 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Psoriasis is linked to increased cardiovascular risk, with severity correlating to risk. Inflammation and immune responses are key factors in this association.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology and Cardiology
  • Immunology and Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Epidemiological data indicate a strong association between psoriasis and cardiovascular (CV) risk.
  • Psoriasis patients exhibit a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular events, and peripheral vascular disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular risk, considering disease severity.
  • To investigate the underlying mechanisms linking psoriasis to cardiovascular complications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current epidemiological data and existing studies.
  • Analysis of correlations between psoriasis severity and cardiovascular events.
  • Examination of proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, including inflammation and immune dysregulation.

Main Results:

  • A correlation exists between psoriasis severity and cardiovascular risk.
  • Psoriasis is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke) and subclinical vascular changes (intima-media thickness, arterial stiffness, coronary calcification).
  • Potential mechanisms include traditional CV risk factors, inflammation (Th1/Th17/Treg imbalance, CRP, osteopontin), hemostasis dysregulation, and shared genetic factors.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation and associated cytokines play a crucial role in the link between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay of factors contributing to cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients.

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