Psoriasis independently associated with hyperleptinemia contributing to metabolic syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of leptin, a 16-kDa adipocyte-derived hormone, in the development of metabolic dysregulation of psoriasis.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Referral centers. Patients Seventy-seven patients with psoriasis and 81 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in the study. Intervention Enzyme-linked immunoassay of serum samples from study subjects.


METHODS
Serum leptin levels and proportions of comorbidities (including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, hypertriglyceridemia, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations) in cases vs controls were compared using chi(2) and Mann-Whitney tests. The clinical significance of leptin in psoriasis was analyzed using logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Significantly more obesity (odds ratio [OR], 2.67) and hypertension (2.17) (P =.04 for both) were observed in subjects with psoriasis. High serum leptin levels (>or=7397.43 pg/mL) were found in female subjects (OR, 6.05; P < .001) and in subjects with obesity (3.45; P =.01), hypertension (2.19; P =.04), metabolic syndrome (3.58; P =.008), and psoriasis (2.25; P =.02). On multivariate analysis, psoriasis (OR, 4.57; P =.009) was significantly associated with hyperleptinemia independent of female sex (26.36; P < .001), metabolic syndrome (4.37; P =.04), and obesity (2.83; P =.12). Finally, patients with psoriasis who had hyperleptinemia tended to be female (P < .001) and manifested obesity (P =.002) and metabolic syndrome (P =.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperleptinemia is associated with psoriasis independent of female sex and other conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. Hyperleptinemia in psoriasis may contribute to metabolic syndrome.
Chen
Yi-Ju
YJ
Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan. chchenl@dragon.nchu.edu.tw
Wu
Chun-Ying
CY
Shen
Jui-Lung
JL
Chu
Szu-Ying
SY
Chen
Chih-Kang
CK
Chang
Yun-Ting
YT
Chen
Chuan-Mu
CM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D020738:Leptin