Clinical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Implications in Psoriasis Associated With Cardiovascular Disease

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Cardiology
• Systemic Inflammation

Background:

• Psoriasis is now understood as a systemic disease.
• It is associated with significant comorbidities, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD) and atherosclerosis.
• Patients with psoriasis, particularly severe or psoriatic arthritis cases, exhibit higher rates of metabolic syndrome and CVD risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the systemic nature of psoriasis.
• To emphasize the increased cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients.
• To underscore the need for dermatologists to manage cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing studies on psoriasis and cardiovascular comorbidity.
• Analysis of associations between psoriasis severity, psoriatic arthritis, and cardiovascular risk factors.
• Evaluation of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in psoriasis cohorts.

Main Results:

• Psoriasis patients show a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
• Increased risk of major cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease, is observed.
• The effectiveness of current psoriasis treatments in mitigating cardiovascular risk remains undetermined.

Conclusions:

• Dermatologists must be aware of the heightened cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis.
• Early identification and management of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are essential.
• Timely referral to specialists is recommended for comprehensive cardiovascular event prevention in psoriasis patients.