Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome in psoriatic patients: case : control study

Abstract EN

Background : Psoriasis has an increased likelihood of comorbidities compared with healthy controls such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome.

Objectives: To investigate the risk factors that increases the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome in Iraqi patients with psoriasis.

Patients & methods: a case- control prospective study enrolled 80 patients with psoriasis and 80 normal individuals as a control group.

Psoriasis severity was assessed using PASI(psoriasis area severity index) score, in both groups, blood pressure, BMI(body mass index) & waist circumference were measured, laboratory tests including fasting blood sugar & lipid profile were done.

For comparison between the 2 groups, Fisher s exact test were performed.

Results: In psoriatic group, calculation of (BMI), showed that 19 (23.8 %) were obese, 34 (42.5 %) over weight, 27 (38.8 %) normal weight.

Thirty four patients (42.5 %) had an elevated blood pressure, both were significantly correlated with the severity of psoriasis.44 (55 %) have abnormal lipid profile, 17 (21.3 %) elevated cholesterol, 17(21.3 %) had raised LDL & 32 (40 %) had low HDL.

These were correlated with the severity of psoriasis.

Eight (10 %) patients had elevated VLDL & 13 (16.3 %) had elevated TG.

Twelve (15 %) patients had elevated FBS.33 (41.25 %) patients were having Metabolic syndrome and the risk was increased with the duration of psoriasis.

Comparing with the control group, psoriatic patients were at risk of developing hyperglycemia & hyperlipidemia with statistically significant elevation of fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, LDL, & reduced HDL.

Conclusions: Compared with the control group, psoriatic patients in our population had an atherogenic lipid profile with increased prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases & metabolic syndrome & this was directly correlated with the severity and duration of the disease.