title: Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in psoriasis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hyperhomocysteinaemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, stroke, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and venous thrombosis. An association between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases has been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to examine serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in psoriasis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional study in 70 consecutive outpatients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 70 age- and gender-matched controls. Serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were measured in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels did not differ between patient and control groups. In psoriasis patients, homocysteine levels correlated directly with psoriasis severity as measured by psoriasis area and severity index. Serum homocysteine level inversely correlated with serum folic acid levels in the patient group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homocysteine levels correlated with psoriasis area and severity index in the patient group, which shows the disease severity. The increase in cardiovascular mortality with the severity of psoriasis might be also due to the effects of homocysteine.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Dermatology Clinic, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey. seraycakmak@gmail.com
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gül
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kiliç
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gönül
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soylu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiliç
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12