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Hypercholesterolemia and risk of incident psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in US women

Shaowei Wu1, Wen-Qing Li, Jiali Han

  • 1Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Arthritis & Rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)
|February 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) is linked to a higher risk of developing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This association holds true even without cholesterol-lowering medication use.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Cardiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease linked to cardiovascular disease.
  • Hypercholesterolemia is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
  • Previous studies suggest elevated cholesterol in psoriasis patients, but the causal link is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between hypercholesterolemia and the risk of incident psoriasis.
  • To determine if hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of developing psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 95,540 women from the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2005) was analyzed.
  • Physician-diagnosed hypercholesterolemia and medication use were recorded.
  • Incident psoriasis and psoriasis with PsA were confirmed via questionnaires, with hazard ratios calculated.

Main Results:

  • Hypercholesterolemia was associated with increased risks of incident psoriasis (HR 1.25) and psoriasis with PsA (HR 1.58).
  • Long-term hypercholesterolemia (≥7 years) showed higher risks for psoriasis (HR 1.29) and psoriasis with PsA (HR 1.68).
  • These associations remained significant even in individuals not using cholesterol-lowering medications.

Conclusions:

  • Hypercholesterolemia is an independent risk factor for developing psoriasis.
  • The findings suggest a link between hypercholesterolemia and an elevated risk of psoriatic arthritis.
  • This highlights the importance of managing cholesterol for both cardiovascular and dermatological health.
Abstract

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