Metabolic syndrome in Spanish patients with psoriasis needing systemic therapy: Prevalence and association with cardiovascular disease in PSO-RISK, a cross-sectional study

• Published in: The Journal of dermatological treatment Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 318 - 325
• Main Authors: Belinchón, I., Vanaclocha, F., de la Cueva-Dobao, P., Coto-Segura, P., Labandeira, J., Herranz, P., Taberner, R., Juliá, B., Cea-Calvo, L., Puig, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 04.07.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Psoriatic - epidemiology; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Obesity - complications; Prevalence; psoriasis; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Risk Factors; Spain - epidemiology; metabolic syndrome; prevalence; Cardiovascular disease; psoriasis
• ISSN: 0954-6634; 1471-1753
• DOI: 10.3109/09546634.2014.983039

Background: Increasing evidence indicates a relationship between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (MS). We evaluated the prevalence of MS in patients receiving systemic treatment for psoriasis in Spain, and its relationship to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: This cross-sectional, multicenter, non-interventional study enrolled 368 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis requiring systemic treatment. Clinical parameters for psoriasis, CV risk factors, MS and CVD were assessed. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: 352 patients were included (median psoriasis duration: 18 years, plaque psoriasis [95.7%], psoriatic arthritis [22.8%]). Overall, 132 patients (37.5%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for MS; the most prevalent MS components were high blood pressure and increased waist circumference. Patients with MS were older, more likely to be obese and to have a sedentary lifestyle and hypercholesterolemia than those without MS. CVD was more prevalent in patients with MS than in those without (29.5% versus 15.9%, p = 0.002), particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction and heart failure. MS was independently associated with CVD (OR 1.98, p = 0.018) and CHD (OR 2.02, p = 0.044). Conclusion: The prevalence of MS was high among patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis requiring systemic treatment, and was associated with a higher prevalence of CVD. Dermatologists should consider implementing simple screening protocols.