Psoriasis vulgaris with or without arthritis and independent of disease severity or duration is a risk factor for hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis (Ps) has been associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Interesting epidemiological evidence suggests associations between Ps and dyslipidemia (DL), a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between Ps and multiple measurements of DL, which include levels of triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol (TCh). We also studied the relationship between DL and disease duration.

METHODS

A prospective hospital-based study was conducted. A total of 661 Caucasian patients with chronic plaque Ps and 661 sex- and age-matched controls were enrolled.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that in psoriatic patients the odds ratio (OR) of TCh >200 mg/dl was 1.406 (95% confidence interval 1.115-1.173), the OR of LDL cholesterol >130 mg/dl was 1.375 (95% confidence interval 1.088-1.738), the OR of HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dl was 0.881 (95% confidence interval 0.599-1.297), and the OR of TGs >150 mg/dl was 1.041 (95% confidence interval 0.783-1.385). We did not find a relationship between lipid levels and disease duration.

CONCLUSION

Based on our population Ps is associated with alterations in TCh and LDL cholesterol, but not in TGs and HDL cholesterol, when ATP III panel levels are used. These alterations are not related to disease duration.