No Relation between Psoriasis and Renal Abnormalities: A Case-Control Study.

Multiple observational studies have demonstrated that psoriasis is associated with nephropathy; however, the renal involvement in psoriasis remains largely a matter of debate. The current study was designed to investigate if psoriatic patients are at increased risk of renal abnormalities, in absence of any other comorbidities. Forty patients (11 women, 29 men, mean age 44.9 ± 15.45 years) with moderate to severe chronic plaque type psoriasis who were not under systemic therapy and 40 age- and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. Patients and controls with history of diabetes, hypertension, and chronic renal disease were excluded. Urinalysis by dipstick and microscopic evaluation and 24 h proteinuria and albuminuria were measured in all patients and controls. Patients with psoriasis and controls were not significantly different with respect to the prevalence of abnormal urinalysis (7.5% versus 5%, P = 1.0), mean 24 h proteinuria (70.40 ± 24.38 mg/24 h versus 89.40 ± 26.78 mg/24 h, P = 0.30), and albuminuria (14.15 ± 8.12 mg/24 h versus 16.62 ± 8.21 mg/24 h, P = 0.18). The presence of abnormal urinalysis was not more common in patients with psoriasis than in controls. Our study demonstrated that psoriatic patients without any other comorbidities are not at increased risk of kidney disease.

Serum osteopontin level and common carotid artery intima-media wall thickness in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The association between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease is well documented, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The relationship between osteopontin and psoriasis has been studied. High serum levels of osteopontin are reported in psoriasis, with increased cardiovascular risk factors in these patients. OBJECTIVES: We evaluate the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis by measuring the mean intima-media wall thickness (MIMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) in patients with psoriasis and assessing its correlation with osteopontin to identify vascular risk factors associated with psoriasis. METHODS: Intima-media wall thickness of the CCA and plasma osteopontin were determined in 40 patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Median serum osteopontin was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy control subjects. Mean intima-media wall thickness of the CCA was positively associated with plasma osteopontin level (r = 0.47, P < 0.0001), body mass index (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001), age (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001), total cholesterol (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001), and triglycerides (r = 0.65, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows higher levels of plasma osteopontin and MIMT-CCA in psoriasis patients than in healthy controls. This is the first study to show a positive correlation between plasma osteopontin and MIMT-CCA.

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

BACKGROUND: 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. METHOD: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: This study supported the possible role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients.

Increased serum leptin and resistin levels and increased carotid intima-media wall thickness in patients with psoriasis: is psoriasis associated with atherosclerosis?

BACKGROUND: Patients with psoriasis may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the potential association between subclinical atherosclerosis and psoriasis by measuring the intima-media wall thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) in patients with psoriasis and evaluating its correlation with serum leptin and resistin levels. METHODS: The mean IMT (MIMT) of the CCA and leptin, resistin, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol levels in serum were determined in 60 patients and 60 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control subjects, patients with psoriasis had significantly higher MIMT of the CCA and higher levels of serum leptin, resistin, TG, and total cholesterol. In addition, MIMT of the CCA was positively correlated with serum leptin, resistin, TG, and total cholesterol levels in patients with psoriasis. LIMITATIONS: This was a cross-sectional single-center study, and we could not evaluate additional biomarkers such as adipokine or adiponectin because of our restricted facilities. CONCLUSION: Although serum leptin, resistin, TG, and total cholesterol levels and MIMT of the CCA were significantly increased in patients with psoriasis, MIMT of the CCA was also positively correlated with these biomarkers. Therefore, psoriasis could be an independent risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis.