Ocular findings in psoriasis patients

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by well-defined red, scaly plaques, affecting approximately 1% to 3% of the world population. Besides skin, it may affect nails, joints, and eyes. Ocular findings occur in approximately 10% of patients, in mostly those who have psoriatic arthritis. We aimed to evaluate eye involvement in psoriasis patients.This study was performed on a total of 100 psoriasis patients who applied to Abant Izzet Baysal University, Medical School, Dermatology Outpatient Clinic and a group of 100 healthy individuals between February 2009- April 2009. History was taken from all study and control subjects and dermatological, systemic, and ophthalmological examinations were performed and Schirmer and BUT values were measured. Constant variables were compared using the t test, and categorical variables were compared using chi-square test. Relationship between ocular findings and sex, age, duration of psoriasis, PASI score, presence of psoriatic plaques on the eyelid, nail involvement, and psoriatic arthritis was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Statistical analyses were performed individually for both right and left eyes.The number of ocular findings in both eyes in the patient group was found to be statistically higher than that in the control group. Schirmer and BUT values were statistically lower in the patient group than those in the control group.Although results of our study support the necessity of routine ophthalmological examination of psoriasis patients for early diagnosis and treatment, we believe that further studies are required on the etiopathogenesis of ocular involvement in psoriasis patients.