Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease among Urban Women with Psoriasis: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Background and Aim Psoriasis have a direct impact on development of cardiovascular risk factors leading to atherosclerosis and metabolic abnormalities. In order to prevent the complications, early and prompt identification of factors through various parameters help in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among these psoriatic patients. Therefore the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of various determinants for cardiovascular diseases among cases and controls. Methods A hospital based case control study at a tertiary care hospital included women from the out patient department, aged above 18 years who were known cases of psoriasis. 114 patients were recruited with 1:1 ratio between cases and controls. All patients were evaluated using semi structured interview schedule with socio demographic variables, duration of disease, family history, and usage of drugs. Severity of disease was assessed through the psoriasis area severity index (PASI). Body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and blood pressure measurement were done using standard methods. Lipid profile, high sensitivity C-Reactive protein (HsCRP) and blood sugar through calibrated analyzers having quality control. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) was assessed by using carotid Doppler technique to measure atherosclerosis. Results One hundred fourteen patients, means 57 pairs of cases and controls were analyzed in this study. Significant determinants among cases were raised such as waist circumference (p = 0.025), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.0001), low density lipoprotein (p = 0.002) and fasting blood glucose (p = 0.004) when compared to controls. HsCRP and CIMT were also raised among cases but only CIMT was statistically significant when compared to controls (p = 0.0001). We also found raised determinants among psoriatic arthritis patients compared to psoriasis. Conclusion Psoriasis patients had high waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein, fasting blood glucose, and CIMT when compared to controls. Early identification of these determinants make them amenable for prevention.