Research Shows Patients With Psoriasis at Increased Risk for Developing Other Serious Medical ...(en associated with increasedcardiovascul...),Health

Date:3/24/2008

en associated with increased cardiovascular disease for decades. Initially, this was attributed to the increased prevalence of behavioral risk factors -- such as obesity and smoking, which are thought to be linked to the psychosocial burden of psoriasis. However, two recent studies have enhanced dermatologists' understanding of cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients. "One large population-based study demonstrated an increased risk of myocardial infarction in patients with psoriasis -- particularly those with severe cases of the disease -- even when accounting for major cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, diabetes and hypertension," explained Dr. Kimball. "Similarly, a small study of a well-defined population of patients with very severe psoriasis demonstrated that these patients had a higher frequency of coronary artery disease compared to a control group of patients, even when controlling for known risk factors for atherosclerosis. Taken together, these studies suggest that psoriasis itself may be a risk factor for developing atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction."

Dr. Kimball advised psoriasis patients to follow the American Heart Association's established recommendations for cardiovascular risk factor screening, which includes an evaluation of a patient's blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, pulse, fasting serum lipoprotein (or total and HDL cholesterol), and fasting blood glucose.

Other factors that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease include behavioral-driven risk factors such as obesity, smoking and depression. These risk factors can be modified by changes in lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight (often measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) < 25), physical activity for 30 minutes of moderate intensity several times a week and healthy eating habits. Dr. Kimball also recommended that psoriasis patients who smoke stop smoking.

Depression

Psoriasis has long been known to cau
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SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology Copyright©2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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