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Subclinical cardiovascular disease in plaque psoriasis: association or causal link?
Sameer Shaharyar1, Haider Warraich2, John W McEvoy3
1Center for Prevention and Wellness Research, Baptist Health Medical Group, Miami Beach, FL, USA.
Insights
Psoriasis patients show increased signs of early cardiovascular disease, including arterial issues and endothelial dysfunction. Early screening for cardiovascular disease risk is recommended for patients with severe or long-standing psoriasis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Cardiology
- Investigating the link between skin disease and cardiovascular health
Background:
- Psoriasis patients face a higher risk of cardiovascular events.
- A direct causal link between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease remains unproven.
- This study reviews evidence on endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing data on endothelial dysfunction in psoriasis patients.
- To assess subclinical atherosclerosis markers in individuals with plaque psoriasis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using the Medline database and Ovid SP.
- The search included studies published up to November 2012.
- Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria from 529 initial articles.
Main Results:
- Two studies (17%) found increased coronary artery calcification (CAC) in psoriasis patients.
- Six studies (50%) indicated increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).
- Five studies (42%) on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) showed decreased FMD in three cases, while others noted reduced coronary flow reserve and increased arterial stiffness.
Conclusions:
- Psoriasis is associated with a higher burden of subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
- Patients with severe or long-duration psoriasis warrant targeted cardiovascular disease screening.
- Early detection and risk reduction strategies are crucial for managing cardiovascular risks in psoriasis patients.
Background:
Psoriasis patients have a high prevalence of cardiovascular events and are thought to have a relative risk increase of 25% as compared to the general population. However, a causal relationship between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease has not been established. We sought to perform a systematic review of existing data regarding the presence of endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with plaque psoriasis.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was performed, using Medline database and Ovid SP for relevant literature up to November 2012. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria from an initial search result of 529 articles.
Results:
Among the twelve studies meeting inclusion criteria, two (17%) reported increased mean coronary artery calcification (CAC) in psoriatic patients. Six studies (50%) showed carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] increase in psoriasis. Five studies (42%) examined flow mediated dilation [FMD], of which three showed decreased FMD in psoriasis patients. One study (8%) each demonstrated a decreased coronary flow reserve and increased arterial stiffness as assessed by pulse wave velocity.
Conclusions:
Patients with psoriasis have an increased burden of subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Patients with greater severity and/or disease duration should be targeted for primary screening for cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
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