Psoriasis a Cause of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review Article

Cureus. 2022 Aug 8;14(8):e27767. doi: 10.7759/cureus.27767. eCollection 2022 Aug.ABSTRACTPsoriasis is a severe, chronic inflammatory disease characterized by erythematous plaques across the extensor surfaces of the skin. Psoriasis has been linked to a higher threat of vascular events like myocardial infarction and stroke. Other associated cardiovascular disorders in the case of psoriasis include building up atherosclerosis, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and psoriatic arthritis. Individuals can use International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes to identify cardiovascular disease/comorbidities and related risk factors. The relation between pathophysiology and mechanism of psoriasis and the building up of fat and cholesterol in or on the arterial walls makes the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases more obvious. There is very little research on the adverse effect of systemic treatment of psoriasis on cardiovascular events. Treatment of psoriasis includes mainly biologics and systemic therapy, including methotrexate as a first-line drug. An indirect relation between psoriasis-arthritis and cardiovascular diseases is being noted. Various risk factors contribute to psoriasis and are associated with cardiovascular disease, including smoking, hypertension, and obesity. Personal management to decrease the threat to the cardiovascular system in case of psoriasis can be achieved by changing lifestyle, which includes exercising and avoiding smoking. Th...
Source: Atherosclerosis - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research