Psoriasis, commonly considered an autoimmine condition involving T Helper cells, is linked with Coronary Artery Calcification.

Date:   5/15/2007 11:53:17 AM ( 17 y ago)

Psoriasis: Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Calcification?

The link between calcification and chronic systemic diseases associated with inflammation is the subject of numerous trials and research efforts. Recent, mounting evidence indicates that soft tissue calcification (STC) plays a significant role in the progression of many diseases, especially those that involve inflammation. A new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology in March, 2007, found a significant increase in prevalence and severity of Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) in patients with psoriasis. R.J. Ludwig at al. stated in the articles that psoriasis is a likely risk factor for CAC.

The study evaluated the prevalence and degree of CAC as an indicator for cardiovascular disease in 32 patients with psoriasis matched for age, sex, and risk factors to an equally sized control group. The patients were all over the age of 18 with a greater than 10 year’s history of plaque type psoriasis. Patients with any history or symptoms of cardiovascular disease were excluded. Using CT scans, the researchers determined the degree of calcification of each patient using the Agatston scoring system.

It was discovered that CAC was more prevalent in patients with psoriasis as opposed to controls. Specifically, calcification was present in 59.4% of patients with psoriasis compared with only 28.1% in the control population. The difference was statistically significant. Calcification was absent in 23 of the 32 controls and no control subject exhibited a score greater than 400, while, in contrast, only 12 of the 32 patients with psoriasis were free of any significant calcification, and two patients had scores greater than 400.

The results point towards the potentially systemic nature of the inflammatory processes underlying the pathogenesis of psoriasis may be considered a potentially severe systemic disease. In contemplating the results of the present study by Ludwig et al., it seems obvious that controlling the process of STC may be the key to the prevention and treatment of many chronic conditions and a way to slow the aging process.


 

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