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Logo of vhriskmanJournal URL: redirect3.cgi?&&auth=06AXTQNBh4WZbym04E8ZWkgwkRTjY97mJpu-H75gS&reftype=publisher&article-id=2663453&issue-id=177648&journal-id=391&FROM=Article|Banner&TO=Publisher|Other|N%2FA&rendering-type=normal&&http://dovepress.com/articles.php?journal_id=69
Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2008 December; 4(6): 1229–1235.
PMCID: PMC2663453
Cardiometabolic risk in psoriasis: differential effects of biologic agents
Mariana J Kaplan
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Correspondence: Mariana J Kaplan, 1150 W. Medical Center Dr., 5520 MSRBI, Box 0680, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA, Tel +1 734 936 7905, Fax +1 734 7634151, Email makaplan/at/umich.edu
Abstract
Psoriasis is associated to an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications. Overall, the pathogenic mechanisms involved in premature CV complications in psoriasis appear to be complex and multifactorial, with traditional and nontraditional risk factors possibly contributing to the increased risk. Based on what is known about the pathogenesis of psoriasis and extrapolating the current knowledge on CV complications in other inflammatory diseases, studies are needed to investigate if appropriate control of the inflammatory, immunologic and metabolic disturbances present in psoriasis can prevent the development of this potentially lethal complication. It is clear that there is a great need for heightened awareness of the increased risk for vascular damage in patients with psoriasis. It is also crucial to closely monitor patients with psoriasis for CV risk factors including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Whether treatment regimens that effectively manage systemic inflammation will lead to prevention of CV complications in psoriasis needs to be investigated. Clearly, studies should focus on establishing the exact mechanisms that determine CV risk in psoriasis so that appropriate preventive strategies and treatment guidelines can be established.
Keywords: psoriasis, atherosclerosis, inflammation, vascular