Visual evoked potentials in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is an estimation of the visual evoked potentials (VEP) in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The role of the nervous system was pointed out in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Also epidemiologic research confirms that patients with psoriasis are at increased risk of MS development.


METHODS
A group of 30 psoriatic males aged between 18 and 54 was examined. The results were compared with those obtained from a group of 30 healthy age-matched males and they were correlated with the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), the skin surface area involved, duration of the disease and duration of the last relapse. In neurological and ophthalmological examinations no pathological symptoms were detected in either group. The VEP examination was executed using pattern reversal (pr) and pattern flash (pf) stimulation.


RESULTS
Using pf stimulation, in the group of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, a statistically significant elongation in the latency of P-100 and reduction of response amplitude, not related to the PASI, nor the skin surface area involved, nor duration of the last relapse, were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study indicate subclinical damage of the visual pathway in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.
Grzybowski
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A
Department of Ophthalmology, Karol Marcinkowski University School of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland. Andrzej_Grzybowski@um.poznan.pl
Grzybowski
G
G
Druzdz
A
A
Zaba
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*