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Cardiovascular risk and psoriasis: the role of biologic therapy

L Puig1

  • 1Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. lpuig@santpau.cat

Actas Dermo-Sifiliograficas
|November 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Psoriasis patients face higher cardiovascular risks due to chronic inflammation. Biologic therapies may reduce this risk, but careful monitoring is needed due to potential adverse effects and observed cardiovascular events in trials.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Cardiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Psoriasis is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident.
  • Chronic systemic inflammation in psoriasis contributes to its role as an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor.
  • Biologic therapies offer improved psoriasis control and may reduce cardiovascular risk, similar to their effects in rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current scientific evidence on the relationship between psoriasis, cardiovascular disease, and biologic therapies.
  • To discuss the potential cardiovascular benefits and risks associated with biologic treatments for psoriasis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological evidence and clinical trial data.
  • Analysis of the impact of systemic inflammation in psoriasis on cardiovascular health.
  • Examination of adverse event profiles for biologic therapies, including tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting IL-12/IL-23.

Main Results:

  • Moderate to severe psoriasis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Biologic therapies show potential for reducing cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients.
  • Adverse cardiovascular events, though not statistically significant, were observed in clinical trials of briakinumab and ustekinumab.

Conclusions:

  • Biologic therapies represent a promising treatment avenue for psoriasis, potentially mitigating associated cardiovascular risks.
  • Caution is advised when using biologic drugs, particularly in patients with pre-existing heart conditions.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the cardiovascular safety profile of biologic agents in psoriasis management.

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