Cardiometabolic risk profile in patients with psoriasis

[Fred]

This study estimated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risk factors and its association with the psoriasis severity, sex and age.

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Background:
Psoriasis has been associated with metabolic syndrome and with an increased cardiovascular risk especially in patients with severe disease. The goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risk factors and its association with the psoriasis severity, sex and age.

Methods:
Consecutive patients with psoriasis were enrolled in a prospective study over a 1-year period. Blood samples were collected. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and body surface area scores and two dermatology quality of life (DQOL) questionnaires were used to evaluate psoriasis severity and the impact of the disease.

Results:
Altogether 178 patients were included, of whom 44% had moderate–severe psoriasis. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 30% (men 34%, women 26%) without significant differences between patients with severe and mild disease. Age and menopause appeared to increase the risk for metabolic syndrome. Patients with severe psoriasis smoked more heavily, were more likely to have diabetes or insulin resistance and had higher homocysteine and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels than patients with mild psoriasis (P < 0.05). In women, a higher waist circumference was observed. Women had higher HDL-C levels and lower smoking and alcohol consumption rates. In accordance with the systematic coronary risk evaluation system, 18% of the patients had a high 10-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions:
Psoriasis severity was associated with diabetes, insulin-resistance, smoking habit and higher cardiovascular risk. Metabolic syndrome was related to age and menopause but not to psoriasis severity.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view funding unknown

[Caroline]

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Although it was only identified less than 20 years ago, metabolic syndrome is as widespread as pimples and the common cold . According to the American Heart Association, 47 million Americans have it. That's almost a staggering one out of every six people. The syndrome runs in families and is more common among African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. The risks of developing metabolic syndrome increases as you age.

Indeed, metabolic syndrome seems to be a condition that many people have, but no one knows very much about. It's also debated by the experts -- not all doctors agree that metabolic syndrome should be viewed as a distinct condition.

Seems a bit vague disease.
So in this studie it apparantly cannot be targeted at one specific one, like strokes, or fibrillation, or angina..