Evaluation of cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic plaque type psoriasis

Psoriasis is an immune mediated, chronic, recurrent, inflammatory dermatosis. Several epidemiologic studies have showed that psoriasis patients have higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to healthy population In the etiopathogenesis of cardiac disorders, chronic inflammation of psoriasis plays an effective role in the development of atherosclerosis and vascular endothelial injury. Therefore, in recent studies, the levels of endocan, a marker of vascular injury and homocysteine, which has a role in the development of atherosclerosis, are being examined. We also aimed to investigate the correlation between serum endocan, homocysteine levels, echocardiographic parameters and cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patient without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Our study was performed on 40 patients with chronic plaque type psoriasis and a group of 40 healthy volunteers who do not generate statistically significant differance about demographic and biochemical parameters. Serum endocan and homocysteine levels were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p<0,001). There was a positive correlation between serum endocan levels and the duration of the disease (p<0.001, r=0,725). Tei index was significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p<0,001). E/A and E/Em ratios were lower in patients compared to controls (p=0,028). All TSI parameters related to left ventricular asynchrony were higher in patients significantly, compared to the control groups (p<0.001). In conclusion, higher serum levels of endocan and homocystein and the significant variation in cardiac parameters in psoriasis patients compared to controls support the hypothesis that subclinical cardiac damage occurs in psoriasis and psoriasis alone is a cardiovascular risk factor. More comprehensive studies are needed to support these results. Key Words: Psoriasis, cardiovascular comorbidities, endocan, homocysteine, echocardiography