Carotid-IMT may benefit from bio & methotrexate in psoriasis patients

[Fred]

This study assessed the effect of systemic and biological drugs on psoriasis patients carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).

Quote:

---

Background:
Psoriasis has been related to a large number of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerosis. The increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) could be considered to be a marker of generalized arteriosclerosis.

Objective:
To assess the effect of systemic and biological drugs on psoriatic patients′ carotid IMT.

Methods:
A prospective study was performed. We studied 53 patients with moderate and severe psoriasis from our psoriasis dermatological unit, analyzing lipid and glucose metabolism and performing a carotid IMT sonography before introduction of systemic and biological drugs. After that, we performed an 8-month closely analytic and sonographic follow-up.

Results:
The IMT of the psoriatic patients treated with biological drugs tended to decrease, although this occurrence was not statistically significant (p=0.086). The subgroup analysis revealed that patients treated with Methotrexate (p=0,045) and Anti Il-12/23 (p=0,010) presented a decrease of their IMT levels. This analysis also showed a decrease in glycaemia and insulin levels in patients treated with TNF-alpha Inhibitors and Ustekinumab.

Conclusions:
Our study suggest that the carotid-IMT may benefits from treatment with biological drugs, particularly Anti IL-12/23, and methotrexate in patients suffering from moderate and severe psoriasis. However, larger longitudinal studies should be performed in order to fully confirm these results.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view funding unknown.