Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic disorders. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that was overexpressed in both psoriatic and atherosclerotic lesions. In a prospective controlled study, we investigated the correlation between serum levels of VEGF and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Sixty patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 60 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited to the study. Mean intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (MIMT-CCA) and serum VEGF levels of all subjects were measured. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as having an MIMT-CCA ≥0.8 mm.

Serum VEGF levels in psoriatic patients were significantly higher compared with healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Psoriatic patients had significantly greater MIMT-CCA than healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Forty-five percent of patients and 6.7% of the healthy controls had subclinical atherosclerosis (P < 0.0001). In the patient group, subclinical atherosclerosis was significantly associated with serum VEGF levels, age, disease duration, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI).

This study supported the possible role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients.