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C-reactive protein and markers for thrombophilia in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis

P Gisondi1, M Malerba, G Malara

  • 1Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical and Surgical Science, University of Verona, Italy.

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology
|January 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Patients with psoriasis show higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine, indicating an acquired thrombophilic status. These markers are linked to disease severity, suggesting a connection to increased cardiovascular event risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Chronic plaque psoriasis is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events.
  • Thrombophilia, a condition of abnormal blood clotting, may contribute to this increased risk.
  • Understanding the thrombophilic status in psoriasis is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate markers of acquired and inherited thrombophilia in patients with psoriasis.
  • To compare thrombophilia markers between psoriasis patients and healthy controls.
  • To identify potential links between psoriasis severity and thrombophilic markers.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 172 psoriasis patients and 198 controls.
  • Measurement of plasma levels for coagulation proteins C and S, homocysteine, folic acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, activated protein C resistance, and antithrombin III activity.
  • Multivariate regression analysis to assess the relationship between psoriasis severity and CRP levels.

Main Results:

  • Psoriasis patients exhibited significantly higher levels of CRP and homocysteine compared to controls.
  • Folic acid levels were lower in patients with psoriasis.
  • Levels of coagulation proteins C and S, fibrinogen, activated protein C resistance, and antithrombin III activity were within normal ranges in both groups.
  • Psoriasis severity was identified as an independent predictor of elevated CRP.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with psoriasis demonstrate elevated serum CRP and homocysteine levels, associated with disease severity.
  • The findings suggest an acquired, rather than inherited, thrombophilic state in psoriasis.
  • This acquired thrombophilia may explain the heightened risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events in psoriasis patients.

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