title: Increased subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition of unknown aetiology which usually requires life-long treatment. It is regarded a systemic inflammatory disease with a possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque prevalence and carotid stenosis as surrogate measures for cardiovascular disease in psoriasis patients and healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two patients with psoriasis and thirty-one healthy controls were included in the study. All were examined by Colour duplex ultrasound of the carotid arteries to compare carotid IMT values, carotid plaques and carotid stenosis in the two groups. Adjustments were made for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with psoriasis had increased carotid IMT values compared to the controls: mean ± SD 0.71 ± 0.17 mm vs. 0.59 ± 0.08 mm; p = 0.001. When adjusted for known atherosclerotic risk factors this difference remained significant (p = 0.04). Carotid plaques were also more common (p = 0.03) in patients with psoriasis 13 (21%) compared to controls 1 (3%). There was no difference with regard to the number of carotid stenoses in patients and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study support previous evidence which suggests that psoriasis is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Evensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Slevolden
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skagen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ole Morten
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Rønning
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway.
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brunborg
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne-Lene
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Krogstad
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: david.russell@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Carotid IMT; Carotid plaques; Carotid stenosis; Carotid ultrasound; Co-morbidity; Psoriasis