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Psoriasis duration may increase cardiovascular comorbidities

Long-term psoriasis was associated with increased likelihood of vascular inflammation and major adverse cardiovascular events, according to recent findings.

The researchers used fludeoxyglucose F 18 PET/CT imaging in 190 individuals to conduct the human imaging study. They also conducted a population-based study involving 87,161 patients with psoriasis and 4,234,793 individuals from the general U.S. population.

Baseline data indicated that participants in the imaging analysis were young, with low cardiovascular risk and elevated incidence of cardiometabolic diseases. A significant association was reported between disease duration and vascular inflammation on imaging ( = 0.171; P = .002).

Findings from the population-based study indicated that risk for major adverse cardiovascular events increased by 1% with each year of psoriasis duration (HR = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.007-1.013), after a multivariable analysis.

Looking at secondary outcome measures in multivariable analysis, duration of psoriasis was also associated with myocardial infarction (HR = 1.006; 95% CI, 1.001-1.012), ischemic stroke (HR = 1.011; 95% CI, 1.007-1.016), and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.011; 95% CI, 1.007-1.015).

“We have provided strong novel evidence that duration of psoriasis increases vascular inflammation and the risk of [major adverse cardiovascular events],” the researchers concluded. “Providers should consider inquiring about duration of psoriasis when assessing [cardiovascular] risk stratification.” – by Rob Volansky

Disclosures: Egeberg reports receiving research funding from Eli Lilly and Pfizer; receiving honoraria as consultant and/or speaker from Eli Lilly, Galderma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Novartis and Pfizer.