BackgroundPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous, chronic, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy associated with psoriasis. PsA is accompanied by many comorbidities, especially hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obesity, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (1). Mediators that cause chronic inflammation such as IL-23R, IL-17, IL-12B are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of both PsA and its comorbidities (2,3).ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to compare plasma levels of IL-12 and IL-23 with endothelium-dependent (FMD) and independent dilatation (NMD) measurements in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and healthy controls and to look for the relationship of IL-12, IL-23 with FMD, NMD, clinical findings, laboratory parameters and disease activity scores of patients.MethodsA total of 136 subjects (49 patients with PsA, 46 patients with AS and 41 healthy controls) were included in the study. Subjects were evaluated with detailed anamnesis and physical examination. The routine biochemical parameters, CRP, ESR of all subjects and disease activity scores of all patients were noted. IL-12 and IL-23 were measured using ELISA method. Endothelial-dependent and independent dilatations were measured by Doppler USG on the brachial artery.ResultsThough IL-12 levels were higher in the PsA group when compared with the healthy group, this difference was not statistically significant. IL-23 levels were significantly higher in PsA patients when compared with the healthy control group (Table 1). IL-12 and IL-23 levels were found to be significantly higher in the AS group compared with the healthy group. A statistically significant difference in endothelial dependent measures were found between PsA patients and healthy controls. No statistically significant correlation was found between IL-12, IL-23 levels and brachial artery basal diameter, FMD, NMD values ​​in PsA patients. Fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels were higher in PSA patients, while CRP and ESR were higher in AS patients. HDL levels of healthy controls were higher than those of PSA and AS patients. There was no significant correlation between IL-12, IL-23 and BASDAI, BASFI, DAPSA, DAS 28, PsAQoL, HAQ, HAD-A, VAS scores in PSA group; hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) and BASMI were positively correlated with IL-23. In the AS group, IL-23 was correlated with VAS and BASMI and IL-12 was correlated with HAQ score.Table 1.The average of the interleukin levels according to the diagnoses of the participantspIL 12PSA0,0070,027ASPSA0,995Healthy ControlAS0,009Healthy ControlIL 23PSA0,706<0,001ASPSA0,006Healthy ControlAS0,010Healthy ControlConclusionIn the PsA group, IL-23 levels and FMD values were higher than the healthy group in our study. The risk of metabolic syndrome and CVD increases due to high insidence of glucose dysregulation, dyslipidemia and obesity in these patients. PsA patients should be monitored for the development of these comorbidities and preventive measures should be taken. More studies are necessary to examine the relationship between IL-12, IL-23 levels and endothelial dysfunction, which is an early indicator of CVD and atherosclerosis in PsA patients.References[1]Gupta S, Syrimi Z, Hughes DM, et al. Comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatol Int. 2021;41(2):275-284. doi:10.1007/s00296-020-04775-2[2]Perez-Chada LM, Merola JF. Comorbidities associated with psoriatic arthritis: Review and update. Clin Immunol. 2020;214:108397. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108397.[3]Egeberg A, Gisondi P, Carrascosa JM, et al. The role of the interleukin-23/Th17 pathway in cardiometabolic comorbidity associated with psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020;34(8):1695-1706. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16273AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to thank the Manisa Celal Bayar University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Department under the Grant No. 2021-021 for the supports.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared