Evaluation of the Beta Stiffness Index and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Asian Patients With Psoriasis

The risk of cardiovascular (CV) events is reportedly elevated in patients with psoriasis. Evaluation of the beta stiffness index (BSI) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) are noninvasive methods of assessing arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to determine carotid arterial stiffness and cIMT, using high-resolution ultrasonography, in patients with psoriasis compared with controls, and to analyze whether psoriasis is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. A total of 54 consecutive patients with psoriasis and 60 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Compared with control participants, patients with psoriasis exhibited a significantly higher BSI (P < .001). The cIMT tended to be higher in patients with psoriasis but statistically not significant (P = .076). BSI was positively correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, disease severity defined according to history of systemic treatment, and traditional CV risk factors. Also, psoriasis was independently associated with BSI. These findings suggest that psoriasis is an independent risk factor for arterial stiffness, and the BSI is an earlier indicator of atherosclerosis than cIMT in these patients.