Psoriasis linked to increased heart disease risk

Psoriasis skin disease is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death, revealed by researchers.

The study is reported in the June issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Psoriasis affects nearly 2 percent to 3 percent of the world's population, including 7 million Americans. In addition to its effects on the skin, psoriasis is associated with arthritis, depression and a lower quality of life.

"More recently, psoriasis has also been shown to be a systemic inflammatory condition, with similarities to other inflammatory immune disorders," the authors write. "Since the risk of myocardial infarction is increased in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, which are both inflammatory conditions, attention has been focused on the association between psoriasis, cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial infarction."

Srjdan Prodanovich, M.D., of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and colleagues analyzed the computerized records of 3,236 patients with psoriasis and 2,500 individuals without psoriasis who were seen at the same Veterans Administration facility. Patients in the psoriasis group were slightly older than those in the control group without psoriasis (average age 67.9 vs. 65.1) and were more likely to be men (95.5 percent vs. 88.2 percent).

"Patients with psoriasis were significantly more likely than controls to carry a diagnosis of atherosclerosis," the authors write. Patients with psoriasis were also more likely to have an additional diagnosis of another blood vessel disease, including ischemic heart disease (affecting vessels leading to the heart), cerebral vascular disease (vessels leading to the brain) or peripheral arterial disease (vessels outside the heart and brain).

"We found a higher percentage of deaths among patients with psoriasis than among patients without psoriasis (19.6 percent vs. 9.9 percent)." Future studies should investigate whether aggressive treatment of either cardiovascular risk factors or psoriasis will lead to an improvement in atherosclerosis in these patients, the authors conclude.


(Editor compiled and published Psoriasis linked to increased heart disease risk at HealthNewsTrack on June 15, 2009 sourced from Archives of Dermatology - http://archderm.ama-assn.org/)

Psoriasis - recent articles and current news stories:

- Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis medications lowers diabetes risk
- Metabolic syndrome common in psoriasis patients
- Women who drink beer may develop psoriasis
- Psoriasis increases diabetes and high blood pressure in women

Psoriasis article/news source:

Read more health articles from Archives of Dermatology and health articles from USA.

Psoriasis - search related terms:

Atherosclerosis, Cerebrovascular disease, Depression, Heart disease, Ischemic heart disease, Peripheral artery disease, Psoriasis,
Psoriasis books,

Searched keywords: psoriasis (12), who is at risk of having a stroke (5),

Subscribe to Health News by Email

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
1.84