Psoriasis is associated with lipid abnormalities at the onset of skin disease

Background: Psoriasis appears to have increased cardiovascular morbidity. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. Multiple factors, including systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, aberrant lipid profile: and concomitant established risk factors, have been discussed. However, previous studies consist of heterogeneous patient materials, including persons With highly varying disease duration and treatment. Methods: Two-hundred patients were investigated at the onset of psoriasis, comparing plasma concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins with those of matched controls (N = 285). Results: Psoriasis patients manifest significant lipid abnormalities. Specifically, patients had significantly higher cholesterol concentrations in the very-low-density lipoprotein and high-density-lipoprotein 0 fractions. Adjustment for established environmental risk factors did not affect the results. Limitation: The response rate among Control subjects Was low. However, in additional analysis of a random subset of nonresponders demonstrated no substantial differences in the main results. Conclusion: The study supports the notion that lipid abnormalities in psoriasis may be genetically determined rather acquired.