Coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is associated with excess cardiovascular risk. Inflammation is a key mediator in the onset and progression of these cardiometabolic abnormalities; however, the excess cardiovascular risk conferred by psoriatic disease remains understudied. We investigated the prevalence and severity of CMD in patients with psoriasis and determined whether CMD is a result of CV risk factors and atherosclerotic burden.

METHODS: This was a consecutive retrospective cohort study of patients with psoriasis, normal myocardial perfusion, and LV ejection fraction (EF) > 50% (N = 62) and matched controls without psoriasis (N = 112). Myocardial perfusion and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) were quantified using PET imaging. Atherosclerotic burden was determined by semi-quantitative computed tomography (CT) coronary calcium assessment.

RESULTS: The prevalence of CMD (defined as MFR < 2) was 61.3% in patients with psoriatic disease, compared to 38.4% in a matched control population (P = .004). Furthermore, patients with psoriasis had a more severe reduction in adjusted MFR (2.3 ± .81 vs 1.92 ± .65, respectively, P = .001). The degree of atherosclerotic burden, as assessed by qualitative calcium score, was similar between psoriasis and controls.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis without overt CAD demonstrated a high prevalence of coronary vasomotor abnormalities that are not entirely accounted for by the commonly associated coronary risk factors or the burden of atherosclerosis.