OBJECTIVE:Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. Recent research has emphasized the strong association between inflammation and both P-wave dispersion and dyslipidemia. The difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave durations on an electrocardiogram is defined as P-wave dispersion. The prolongation of P-wave dispersion has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to investigate P-wave dispersion in patients with lichen planus.METHODS:Fifty-eight patients with lichen planus and 37 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We obtained electrocardiographic recordings from all participants and used them to calculate the P-wave variables. We also assessed the levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is an inflammatory marker, and the lipid levels for each group. The results were reported as the means ± standard deviations and percentages.RESULTS:The P-wave dispersion was significantly higher in lichen planus patients than in the control group. Additionally, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in lichen planus patients compared to the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein and P-wave dispersion (r = 0.549, p<0.001) in lichen planus patients.CONCLUSIONS:P-wave dispersion increased on the surface electrocardiographic measurements of lichen planus patients. This result may be important in the early detection of subclinical cardiac involvement. Increased P-wave dispersion, in terms of the tendency for atrial fibrillation, should be considered in these patients.

Background. Several reports have demonstrated an association between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases. P wave dispersion (PWD) is the most important electrocardiographic (ECG) markers used to evaluate the risk of atrial arrhythmias. QT dispersion (QTD) can be used to assess homogeneity of cardiac repolarization and may be a risk for ventricular arrhythmias. Aim. To search PWD and QTD in patients with psoriasis. Methods. Ninety-four outpatient psoriasis patients and 51 healthy people were evaluated by physical examination, 12-lead ECG, and transthoracic echocardiography. Severity of the psoriasis was evaluated by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Results. Mean disease duration was 129.4 ± 83.9 (range, 3–360) months and PASI ranged from 0 to 34.0 (mean ± SD; 7.6 ± 6.7). Compared to control group, psoriatic patients had significantly shorter Pmax and Pmin durations, longer QTcmax, and greater PWD and QTcD. Transmitral deceleration time (DT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were significantly longer among psoriasis patients. QTcD and PWD were significantly correlated with disease duration (r = 0.693, P < 0.001, and r = 0.368, P = 0.003, resp.). Conclusions. In this study, we found that both PWD and QTcD are increased in psoriasis patients compared to healthy subjects. In addition, they had longer DT and IVRT.

BackgroundPlatelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is an emerging inflammatory indicator which is closely associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between PLR and the severity of calcific aortic stenosis (AS).Material/MethodsThe study was designed as a retrospective study. A total of 86 consecutive patients with calcific AS were divided into two groups as mild-to-moderate AS and severe AS according to the transaortic mean pressure gradient. PLR levels were calculated from the complete blood count (CBC).ResultsPlatelet to lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in severe and mild-to-moderate AS groups when compared to the control subjects (151±31.2, p<0.001, 138±28.8 vs. 126±26.5, p=0.008, respectively). In the subgroup analysis of AS patients, PLR was found to be higher in the severe AS group compared to mild-to-moderate group (p<0.001). A significant correlation was found between PLR and transaortic mean pressure gradient in patients with AS (r=0.421, p<0.001).ConclusionsOur study results demonstrated that increased PLR correlates with the severity of calcific AS.

(Cardiol J 2016; 23, 6: 610-615)

AimIn this study, we investigated the relationship of increased inflammatory parameters (C-reactive protein – CRP), oxidative stress markers (serum uric acid – SUA) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with non-dipper hypertension (NDHT).Material and methodsAmong the individuals who presented to the cardiology clinic, 40 patients (32.5% male, 67.5% female; mean age: 54.4 ±7.1) who had hypertension and were diagnosed with NDHT through ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, 40 age- and sex-matched dipper hypertension (DHT) patients (25% male, 75% female, mean age: 54.2 ±7.0), and 40 normotensive individuals (42.5% male, 57.5% female, mean age: 51.9 ±9.0) were enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all the patients in order to evaluate the hematological and biochemical parameters. All the assessed parameters were compared among the groups.ResultsThe CRP, RDW and uric acid levels were observed to be significantly higher in the non-dipper hypertension group in comparison to the dipper hypertension patients and the normotensive population (p < 0.05). These parameters were also significantly higher in the dipper HT group compared to the normotensive population (p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe found in our study that increased CRP, uric acid and RDW levels, which are indicators of increased inflammation and oxidative stress, are significantly higher in the non-dipper HT patients in comparison to the dipper HT patients and control group.