Elevation of fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose cyclosporine for severe plaque-type psoriasis. An assessment of clinical significance when viewed as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
BACKGROUND
Hyperlipidemia has received little attention as a side effect of cyclosporine therapy for severe psoriasis.


OBJECTIVE
We report changes in fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose oral cyclosporine for psoriasis and discuss their significance.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with severe, recalcitrant, plaque-type psoriasis were treated with cyclosporine, 5 mg/kg/day, for 12 to 16 weeks. Fasting serum lipid levels (triglycerides, cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins) were measured at 2-week intervals.


RESULTS
The mean serum triglyceride level increased from 117.8 +/- 11.7 mg/dl before initiation of therapy to 183.9 +/- 31.4 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment, without further significant change during the remainder of the study (p less than 0.007). A significant elevation of serum cholesterol from 207.1 +/- 8.1 mg/dl initially to 247.4 +/- 10.2 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment occurred (p less than 0.001) and persisted with continued cyclosporine therapy. No consistent alteration in high-density lipoprotein was noted (p less than 0.42).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum lipids should be closely monitored in psoriasis patients receiving intermediate or long-term therapy with cyclosporine, especially in the presence of elevated baseline values.
Stiller
M J
MJ
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
Pak
G H
GH
Kenny
C
C
Jondreau
L
L
Davis
I
I
Wachsman
S
S
Shupack
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
D016572:Cyclosporine