Epicardial adipose tissue volume is greater in men with severe psoriasis, implying an increased cardiovascular disease risk: A cross-sectional study

Psoriasis Comorbidities and Their Treatment Impact

Psoriasis, a systemic inflammatory disease classically presenting with cutaneous lesions, has significant involvement in other organ systems. This article explores the prevalence, clinical manifestations, screening mechanisms, and laboratory testing by which to evaluate these comorbidities. Treatment approach for these comorbidities must combine patient preference with established treatment algorithms while recognizing innovative therapeutics currently under development.

Cardiovascular Considerations and Implications for Treatment in Psoriasis: An Updated Review

Psoriasis, a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting 2-3% of the global population, has transcended its dermatological confines, revealing a profound association with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This comprehensive review explores the intricate interplay between psoriasis and cardiovascular system, delving into genetic links, immune pathways, and adipose tissue dysfunction beyond conventional CVD risk factors. The pathophysiological connections unveil unique signatures, distinct from other inflammatory skin conditions, in particular psoriasis-specific genetic polymorphisms in IL-23 and TNF-α have consistently been linked to CVD. The review navigates the complex landscape of psoriasis treatments, addressing challenges and future directions in particular relevance to CVDs in psoriasis. Therapeutic interventions, including TNF inhibitors (TNFi), present promise in reducing cardiovascular risks, and methotrexate could constitute a favourable choice. Conversely, the relationship between IL-12/23 inhibitors and cardiovascular risk remains uncertain, while recent evidence indicates that Janus kinase inhibitors may not carry CVD risks. Emerging evidence supports the safety and efficacy of IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors in patients with CVDs, hinting at evolving therapeutic paradigms. Lifestyle modifications, statins, and emerging therapies offer preventive strategies. Dedicated screening guidelines for CVD risk assessment in psoriasis are however lacking. Further, the impact of different disease phenotypes and treatment hierarchies in cardiovascular outcomes remains elusive, demanding ongoing research at the intersection of dermatology, rheumatology, and cardiology. In conclusion, unraveling the intricate connections between psoriasis and CVD provides a foundation for a holistic approach to patient care. Collaboration between specialties, advancements in screening methodologies, and a nuanced understanding of treatment impacts are essential for comprehensive cardiovascular risk management in individuals with psoriasis.

Psoriasis and risk of chronic kidney diseases: A population-based cross-sectional study and Mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the association between psoriasis and risk of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Furthermore, the causal nature of the possible association remains unexplored.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate potential association between psoriasis and CKD risk. Further, we evaluated causality by performing a Mendelian randomization analysis using large-scale genome-wide association studies of psoriasis and CKD. Inverse variance-weighted (IVW) analysis was used as the primary method.

RESULTS

In the observational study, 16 750 participants were included. Overall, 39 of 429 patients with psoriasis had CKD (9.1%) compared with 1481 of 16 321 without psoriasis (9.1%). In the fully adjusted model, psoriasis was not associated with CKD (OR: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.53-1.10). In the MR analysis, 36 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables. The IVW analysis reported that genetically predicted psoriasis was associated with a higher risk of CKD (OR: 1.025, 95%CI: 1.001-1.049). After removing 2 SNPs associated with heterogeneity, the association remained (OR: 1.028, 95%CI: 1.006-1.050).

CONCLUSION

Genetically predicted psoriasis was associated with a higher risk of CKD. This association may be important for clinicians to monitor kidney function and prescribe potentially nephrotoxic drugs during psoriasis management.

Longitudinal association of epicardial and thoracic adipose tissues with coronary and cardiac characteristics in psoriasis

Background

s: Psoriasis is a disease of systemic inflammation associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and thoracic adipose tissue (TAT) are contributing factors for atherosclerosis and cardiac dysfunction. We strove to assess the longitudinal impact of the EAT and TAT on coronary and cardiac characteristics in psoriasis.

Methods

The study consisted of 301 patients with baseline coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), of which 139 had four-year follow up scans. EAT and TAT volumes from non-contrast computed tomography scans were quantified by an automated segmentation framework. Coronary plaque characteristics and left ventricular (LV) mass were quantified by CTA.

Results

When stratified by baseline EAT and TAT volume quartiles, a stepwise significant increase in cardiometabolic parameters was observed. EAT and TAT volumes associated with fibro-fatty burden (FFB) (TAT: ρ = 0.394, P < 0.001; EAT: ρ = 0.459, P < 0.001) in adjusted models. Only EAT had a significant four-year time-dependent association with FFB in fully adjusted models (β = 0.307 P = 0.003), whereas only TAT volume associated with myocardial injury in fully adjusted models (TAT: OR = 1.57 95 % CI = (1.00-2.60); EAT: OR = 1.46 95 % CI = (0.91-2.45). Higher quartiles of EAT and TAT had increased LV mass and developed strong correlation (TAT: ρ = 0.370, P < 0.001; EAT: ρ = 0.512, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study is the first to explore how both EAT and TAT volumes associate with increased cardiometabolic risk profile in an inflamed psoriasis cohorts and highlight the need for further studies on its use as a potential prognostic tool for high-risk coronary plaques and cardiac dysfunction.

Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue, systemic inflammatory diseases, and subclinical atheromatosis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Systemic inflammatory diseases could act as an unfavorable condition in which epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) becomes harmful to cardiovascular health. The objectives were: (a) to quantitatively compare the presence of EAT between patients with systemic inflammatory diseases and controls; (b) to analyze the association between EAT and subclinical atheromatosis in individuals with systemic inflammatory diseases.

METHODS

Studies that have quantified EAT in a population with systemic inflammatory diseases compared to a control group, or that describe the association between EAT and the presence of subclinical atheromatosis in patients with systemic inflammatory diseases were included. A quantitative analysis was performed for the first objective. This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies including 1448 patients with systemic inflammatory diseases, were considered eligible for this study. Patients with systemic inflammatory disease have a higher volume (MD: 10.4cm3 [1.8-19.1]; p<0.01), higher thickness (MD: 1.0mm [0.8-1.2]; p<0.01), and a statistically non-significant higher area (MD: 3.1cm2 [1.0-5.2]; p=0.46) of EAT compared to the control group. Most studies reported a significant association between EAT and subclinical atheromatosis in patients with different systemic inflammatory diseases.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that EAT is increased in patients with systemic inflammatory diseases compared with healthy controls, and that EAT measurement is closely correlated with subclinical atherosclerosis in these patients. The causality of this association should be tested in prospective studies.

Association between psoriasis and coronary artery calcification: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Psoriasis and atherosclerosis have overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. However, the association between psoriasis and coronary artery calcification (CAC), a hallmark of atherosclerosis and a predictor of poor cardiovascular prognosis, remains to be determined. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the association between these related inflammatory conditions.

Methods

Observational studies evaluating the relationship between psoriasis and CAC were retrieved by searching PubMed, Cochrane's Library, and Embase databases. Presence of CAC was confirmed according to an Agatston's Score >0 upon computed tomography examination. A random-effect model incorporating between-study heterogeneity was used to pool the results.

Results

Sixteen studies involving 3,039 patients with psoriasis and 46,191 controls without psoriasis were included in the meta-analysis. All participants were without previously known cardiovascular diseases. Pooled results showed that psoriasis was associated with overall CAC [odds ratio (OR): 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-1.91, p < 0.001; I ² = 57%], after matching or adjusting the conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Subgroup analyses showed that study country, comorbidity of psoriatic arthritis, baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and duration of psoriasis (p for subgroup difference all >0.05) did not significantly affect the association of psoriasis and CAC. However, a stronger association was observed in younger patients (mean age <50 years, OR: 2.63, p < 0.001) compared to older patients (≥50 years, OR: 1.24, p = 0.02; p for subgroup difference <0.001).

Conclusion

Psoriasis is associated with CAC, and the association may be stronger in younger patients.

Prediction and verification of the effect of psoriasis on coronary heart disease based on artificial neural network

Background and objectives

Psoriasis is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. It is important for predicting the complications of coronary heart disease in patients with psoriasis.

Methods

In this study, related cases were collected from the case system of Qingdao University, and commonly used laboratory indicators were extracted. Artificial neural network (ANN) and logistics regression analysis were used to learn to distinguish psoriasis patients, coronary heart disease patients, and psoriasis patients with coronary heart disease. We identified independent risk factors for coronary heart disease in psoriasis patients that exacerbate coronary heart disease symptoms in patients with psoriasis.

Findings

Analysis shows that the accuracy of the ANN model was higher than 79%. It was determined that age, chlorinated, phosphorus, magnesium, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and total cholesterol are independent risk factors for coronary heart disease in patients with psoriasis. Similarly, gender, age, chlorinated, magnesium, triglycerides, and high density lipoprotein are risk factors that exacerbate coronary heart disease symptoms in patients with psoriasis.

Interpretation

The presented approach is a valuable tool for identifying psoriasis patients, coronary heart disease patients, and psoriasis patients with coronary heart disease. It can also serve as a support tool clinicians in the diagnostic process, by providing an outstanding support in the diagnostics prevention of coronary heart disease in psoriasis.

Perivascular adipose tissue in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) resides at the outermost boundary of the vascular wall, surrounding most conduit blood vessels, except for the cerebral vessels, in humans. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation localized within PVAT may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, etc., exhibit heightened systemic inflammation and are at increased risk for CVD. Data from clinical studies in patients with ARDs support a linkage between dysfunctional adipose tissue, and PVAT in particular, in disease pathogenesis. Here, we review the data linking PVAT to the pathogenesis of CVD in patients with ARDs, focusing on the role of novel PVAT imaging techniques in defining disease risk and responses to biological therapies.

Secukinumab Loss of Efficacy Is Perfectly Counteracted by the Introduction of Combination Therapy (Rescue Therapy): Data from a Multicenter Real-Life Study in a Cohort of Italian Psoriatic Patients That Avoided Secukinumab Switching

Since psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic inflammatory disease, patients may experience a drug failure also with very effective drugs (i.e., secukinumab) and, consequently, dermatologists have two therapeutic options: switching or perform a combination therapy (rescue therapy) to save the drug that had decreased its efficacy. At the moment no studies focused on combination/rescue therapy of secukinumab, so we performed a 52-weeks multicenter retrospective observational study that involved 40 subjects with plaque psoriasis that experienced a secondary failure and were treated with combination therapy (ciclosporin (n = 11), MTX (n = 15), NB-UVB (n = 7) and apremilast (n = 7)). After 16 weeks of rescue/combination therapy, PASI and a DLQI varied respectively from 8 [7.0–9.0] and 13 [12.0–15.0], to 3 [2.8–4.0] and 3 [2.0–3.3]), suggesting a significant improvement of daily functionality and quality of life. Results were maintained at 52 weeks. No side effects were experienced during the study. Secukinumab remains a safety and effective drug for PsO patients also in the IL-23 and JAK inhibitors era. The rescue therapy is a valid therapeutic option in case of secukinumab secondary failure.