Alterations in Retinal Vascularity in Severe Psoriasis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Dermatology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with potential systemic manifestations.
• Retinal vascular changes may serve as an indicator of systemic inflammation in psoriasis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in retinal vascularity in patients with severe psoriasis.
• To compare retinal vascular parameters between severe psoriasis patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) were employed.
• Vessel densities (VD) of superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) diameter, and central retinal thickness (CRT) were analyzed.
• Psoriasis patients were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy adults.

Main Results:

• Patients with severe psoriasis exhibited significantly lower VD in both SCP and DCP compared to controls (p < 0.05).
• Psoriatic arthritis was associated with increased CRT (p = 0.000), larger FAZ, and decreased foveal VD in the SCP (p = 0.01, p = 0.02).

Conclusions:

• Severe psoriasis is linked to reduced retinal blood flow, indicated by decreased vascular density.
• The presence of psoriatic arthritis is associated with specific retinal microvascular changes, particularly in the foveal region.