Cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with psoriasis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory skin disease linked to comorbidities.
• Severe psoriasis correlates with increased mortality, potentially due to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Understanding the link between psoriasis and vascular disease markers is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate specific biomarkers of vascular disease and inflammation in patients with psoriasis.
• To compare these biomarkers between psoriasis patients and healthy individuals.
• To assess the potential of these biomarkers in identifying patients at risk for CVD.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study comparing 79 psoriasis patients with 80 healthy volunteers.
• Measurement of serum biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), matrix Gla protein (MGP), and fetuin-A.
• Multivariate analyses were performed, controlling for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI).

Main Results:

• Significantly elevated levels of CRP, sCD40L, and MGP were observed in psoriasis patients compared to controls.
• Fetuin-A serum levels were significantly decreased in patients with psoriasis.
• No significant difference in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels was found between the groups.
• Findings were confirmed in multivariate analyses, indicating robustness.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular biomarkers are demonstrably altered in patients with psoriasis.
• Decreased fetuin-A and increased sCD40L may serve as indicators for CVD risk in psoriasis patients.
• These biomarkers could aid in characterizing high-risk subgroups and monitoring therapeutic responses for associated conditions.