Abnormalities in Pulmonary Function Tests in Patients with Psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION

Psoriasis is associated with lung diseases, but there have been no studies on full pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with psoriasis. The aim of this study was to compare pulmonary function measurements in patients with psoriasis and controls.

METHODS

Sixty-eight patients with psoriasis and sixty-eight sex- and age-matched controls fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Spirometric PFT, body plethysmography, and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) testing were performed on all study participants.

RESULTS

The mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio was significantly lower in the psoriasis patients than in the controls (98 ± 6.6 vs. 100.3 ± 3.2, p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, the FEV1/FVC ratio in non-smoking and non-obese subjects was significantly lower in psoriasis patients than controls (98.2 ± 5 vs. 100.6 ± 2.7; p < 0.05 and 98 ± 6.8 vs. 100 ± 3.1; p < 0.05, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in body plethysmography or the DLCO test parameters between groups.

CONCLUSION

Psoriasis patients had a lower mean FEV1/FVC ratio compared to the control subjects. The FEV1/FVC ratio was independently associated with the presence of psoriasis.