European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STUDY OF CARDIOVASCULAR FINDINGS IN PSORIASIS PATIENTS – A STUDY AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Dr. Sambaraju Vallala, *Dr. Sudha Rani Chintagunta, Dr. Geetakiran Arakkal, Dr. Sathaiah Sadhumalla, Dr. Bhavya Sindhu Jayanthi and Dr. Sai Krishna Nagula

ABSTRACT

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease and its pathogenesis involves an interaction between genetic, environmental and immunological factors. Recent studies have suggested that the chronic inflammatory nature of psoriasis may predispose to an association with other inflammatory diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. Aim: To study the cardiovascular findings and associated risk factors in psoriatic patients. Settings and Design: cross sectional study. Methods and Material: 60 patients with psoriasis attending the department of DVL, Gandhi Hospital for a period of two years were included. Detailed history and clinical examination were carried out as per the proforma. Special attention was given to investigate the cardiovascular findings and assosciated risk factors. All the routine investigations and special investigations like ECG,2D-echo,fasting lipid profile and C-reactive protein, BMI and waist circumference was calculated in all patients. Statistical analysis: chi square test (corrected) calculated using Epi info 7 software. Results: Male: female ratio was 2.3:1.The maximum incidence of psoriasis was in the age group of 31-40yr. Chronic plaque psoriasis was the commonest type(80%). Duration of the disease varied from1year to10yrs. Family history of psoriasis was present in 6.6% of cases. The various associated diseases detected were diabetes alone in 5%, hypertension alone in 16.7%, both in 20%, Cerebro vascular accidents in 1% and metabolic syndrome in 15% of the cases. Investigative findings include lipid abnormalities in 71.7%, elevated C-reactive protein in 13.3%, RA-factor in 1.7%, anaemia in 8.3%, ultrasound abnormalities in 16.7%, chest X Ray abnormalities in 8.3%, ECG abnormalities in 6.7% and 2D-Echo abnormalities in 11.7% of patients. The number of patients with overweight and obesity and addictions like alcohol intake and smoking was also significantly higher among psoriatic patients. Conclusions: Our observations showed that there was significantly increased presence of CVS changes in patients with joint involvement and in patients with abnormal LDL lipid levels. Many of psoriatic patients were overweight. Early detection of these risk factors and counselling will not only improve their quality of life but also decrease the risk of cardiovascular events.

Keywords: cardiovascular findings, risk factors, psoriasis