Cardiovascular disease and risk factors among psoriasis patients in two US healthcare databases, 2001-2002.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular diseases or risk factors (CVDR) seem to be more common in psoriasis patients than in the general population.


OBJECTIVE
We assessed the relationship of psoriasis with CVDR by analysis of healthcare claims data using a cross-sectional, prevalence-based study design.


METHODS
The IMS Health and MarketScan claims databases were used to identify adults with psoriasis diagnostic codes. Non-psoriasis controls were matched 3:1 based on age, gender, census region and previous medical insurance coverage. Odds ratios evaluated the relative prevalence of CVDR, and Mantel-Haenszel confidence intervals were estimated.


RESULTS
CVDR prevalence was generally higher in psoriasis patients than controls in both datasets. Odds ratios for atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease were >or=1.20 for psoriasis patients. Elevated disease severity was associated with a higher rate of CVDR, but varied somewhat by dataset and condition.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated CVDR rates were found in psoriasis patients compared with controls. This pattern merits further examination.
Kimball
A B
AB
Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachussettes, USA.
Robinson
D
D
Wu
Y
Y
Guzzo
C
C
Yeilding
N
N
Paramore
C
C
Fraeman
K
K
Bala
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents