The role of circulating osteopontin (OPN) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease was evaluated in 40 patients with psoriasis and 37 healthy controls. A direct correlation was observed between elevated OPN levels and psoriasis (OR 6.24), hypertension (OR 3.95) and diabetes (OR 3.13). Moreover, in patients with psoriasis, the incidence of hypertension was related to increased OPN levels (OR 4.69). Multivariate logistical regression analysis revealed that psoriasis was an independent risk factor for high serum OPN concentrations. Therefore, elevated OPN levels in patients with psoriasis increases the risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (Chen, Y-J. et. al. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008, Advance publication).