Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome in psoriatic patients: case - control study

Background: Psoriasis has an increased likelihood of comorbidities compared with healthy controls such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. Objectives: To investigate the risk factors that increases the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome in Iraqi patients with psoriasis. Patients methods: a case- control prospective study enrolled 80 patients with psoriasis and 80 normal individuals as a control group. Psoriasis severity was assessed using PASI(psoriasis area severity index) score, in both groups, blood pressure, BMI(body mass index) waist circumference were measured, laboratory tests including fasting blood sugar lipid profile were done. For comparison between the 2 groups, Fisher s exact test were performed. Results: In psoriatic group, calculation of (BMI), showed that 19 (23.8%) were obese, 34 (42.5%) over weight, 27 (38.8%) normal weight. Thirty four patients (42.5%) had an elevated blood pressure, both were significantly correlated with the severity of psoriasis.44 (55%) have abnormal lipid profile, 17 (21.3%) elevated cholesterol, 17(21.3%) had raised LDL 32 (40%) had low HDL. These were correlated with the severity of psoriasis. Eight (10%) patients had elevated VLDL 13 (16.3 %) had elevated TG. Twelve (15%) patients had elevated FBS.33 (41.25%) patients were having Metabolic syndrome and the risk was increased with the duration of psoriasis. Comparing with the control group, psoriatic patients were at risk of developing hyperglycemia hyperlipidemia with statistically significant elevation of fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, LDL, reduced HDL. Conclusions: Compared with the control group, psoriatic patients in our population had an atherogenic lipid profile with increased prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases metabolic syndrome this was directly correlated with the severity and duration of the disease.