OBJECTIVE

To determine the lipid abnormalities in patients with psoriasis and compare it with healthy controls.

METHODS

Across-sectional controlled study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from January 2007 to November 2007. The study included 158 consecutive patients; among which 88 were males (44 patients and 44 controls) and 70 females (35 patients and 35 controls). The patients with psoriasis having less than 30% body involvement were included in the study. Patients with severe psoriasis, high BMI (.30 kg/m2), hypertension, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption and personal or family history of hyperlipedemia were excluded. The patients were examined clinically and findings recorded on a pre-designed proforma. Fasting lipids were measured using SELECTRA XL chemistry analyzer using Spin react kits (made in Spain) by direct method.

RESULTS

All patients had psoriasis involving less than 30% of body surface. Their ages ranged from 18 years to 68 years (mean 37 +/- 7.96 years). Family history of disease was positive in 10 (6.32%) patients. 134 (84.8%) had plaque type psoriasis, 10 (6%) had in addition scalp and nail involvement, 05 (3.16%) guttate lesions, 05 (3.16%) had palmoplantar lesions while remaining 04 (2.43%) comprised of hyperkeratotic and flexural psoriasis. The duration of disease ranged between 18 months to 10 years with a mean of 4.5 +/- 1.89 years. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly higher than in the normal control group (P < 0.01). There was no significant statistical difference in serum levels of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Psoriasis is an independent risk factor for hyperlipidaemia and its possible subsequent sequelae such as obstructive vascular disease.