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Is psoriasis a preatherosclerotic disease? Increased insulin resistance and impaired endothelin function in psoriasis patients

A Turkish, prospective, case-control study evaluated the relationship between atherosclerotic risk factors in 75 consecutive psoriasis patients and 50 control subjects (mean age 40 years). The assessments undertaken were serum insulin, C-peptide levels, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and homeostasis model-assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Insulin, C-peptide levels and HOMA-IR were all significantly increased in patients versus controls (P = 0.016, P = 0.0009 and P = 0.036, respectively). FMD was significantly decreased versus controls (P < 0.001). Psoriasis patients are thus at risk from various atherosclerotic risk factors and require attention to address them (Karadag, A. et al. Int J Dermatol 2010, 49: 642).