Psoriasis and vascular disease-risk factors and outcomes: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis afflicts 2-3% of the world's population. Affected patients commonly have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In addition, psoriasis is independently associated with CVD and mortality. PURPOSE: To determine which CVD risk factors are associated with psoriasis independent of confounders, whether psoriasis is associated with CVD independent of CVD risk factors, and whether there is increased mortality among patients with psoriasis. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Collaborations from inception through October 2009. We reviewed bibliographies of retrieved articles for additional references. STUDY SELECTION: Cross-sectional, cohort-based, case-control, and randomized controlled trials which involved patients with psoriasis. DATA EXTRACTION: Two investigators independently reviewed studies and resolved any discrepancies by consensus. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 2,303 articles identified by literature search, 90 studies met inclusion criteria for this review; 15 were cohort-based studies, 45 were case-control, and 30 were cross-sectional. LIMITATIONS: The quality of evidence was limited by study heterogeneity and lack of large scale prospective studies with long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis demonstrate a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and appear to be at increased risk for ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease. This increase in vascular disease may be independent of shared risk factors and may contribute to the increase in all-cause mortality. Future research should aim to more confidently distinguish between a true causal relationship or merely an association resulting from multiple shared risk factors. Physicians should screen for and aggressively treat modifiable risk factors for CVD in patients with psoriasis.

Sister Mary joseph nodule as a presenting sign of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma.

Sister Mary Joseph nodules represent metastatic cancer of the umbilicus. These malignancies are usually associated with the ovary and gastrointestinal tract. The authors report the case of a Sister Mary Joseph nodule originating from the bifurcation of the common hepatic duct. Umbilical nodules should prompt clinical evaluations, as these tumors are usually associated with poor prognosis.

A Case of Palmoplantar Pustulosis Induced by Certolizumab Pegol: New Anti-TNF-alpha Demonstrates the Same Class Effect.

The development of de novo psoriasis in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists is well recognized. The authors hereby report a case of palmplantar pustular psoriasis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with etanercept. The condition responded to topical steroids but re-occurred upon treating the patient with certolizumab pegol. This strongly suggests that the development of de novo psoriasis is a class effect.

Cardiovascular health for patients with psoriasis: a précis for front-line clinicians.

Psoriasis is a prevalent immune disease most notably recognized for its involvement of the skin and joints and for its impact on patient quality of life. More recently, it has been shown that not only do patients with psoriasis have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, smoking, and dyslipidemia, but they also appear to have an increased risk of myocardial infarction independent of these factors. Patients with severe forms of psoriasis also have been found to have increased mortality rates compared to those without psoriasis. The purpose of this review is to increase awareness of these associations among dermatologists and primary care providers to ensure that cardiovascular risk factors are evaluated and appropriately managed in patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis and vascular disease: an unsolved mystery.

Psoriasis is an immune disease most commonly recognized for its skin and joint manifestations. These produce significant physical, social, and psychological distress in affected patients and resultant reductions in their quality of life. As expected, these concerns are vital in providing symptomatic improvement and in selecting an individualized therapy. Yet, the approach in management of these patients is likely to change given the growing body of evidence linking psoriasis and vascular disease. Stemming from an anecdotally described relationship, the association between psoriasis and vascular disease has become a focus of current research to further elucidate the pathophysiology underlying and connecting these two diseases. This article includes a review of the classical cardiovascular risk factors, the atherothrombotic markers, and the environmental stressors associated with psoriasis, as well as a critical review of the observed vascular diseases, the proposed mechanism of atherosclerosis, and the benefits of treatment of psoriasis.