Dermatológia pre prax 3/2016

Cardiovascular diseases and psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory and immune-mediated skin disease with multiple comorbidities and various manifestations of cardiovascular diseases. The key mediators of psoriasis and atherosclerosis are similar. Patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Psoriasis may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The risk of cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death) is more pronounced for patients having severe psoriasis and for patients with psoriasis of early onset. The use of TNF inhibitors and methotrexate for psoriasis was associated with a statistically significant reduction in cardiovascular events, whereas no cardioprotective effect was seen with cyclosporine and retinoids. Patients should be educated about the disease, treatment, and associated risk factors.

Keywords: psoriasis, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, risk factors