Metabolic syndrome heightens noncalcified coronary burden in psoriasis

The presence of metabolic syndrome in individuals with psoriasis is associated with more cardiovascular disease risk factors, systemic inflammation, and noncalcified coronary burden, a recent study has found.

The authors conducted this cross-sectional study to examine the effect of metabolic syndrome and its factors on early coronary artery disease, assessed as noncalcified coronary burden by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), in psoriasis.

A total of 260 participants with psoriasis and CTA characterization were included in the analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the harmonized International Diabetes Federation criteria.

Eighty (31 percent) of the 260 participants had metabolic syndrome. These individuals were found to have a higher burden of cardiometabolic disease, systemic inflammation, noncalcified coronary burden, and high-risk coronary plaque.

After adjusting for Framingham risk score, lipid-lowering therapy, and biologic use, noncalcified coronary burden significantly correlated with metabolic syndrome (β, 0.31; p<0.001) and its individual factors of waist circumference (β, 0.33; p<0.001), triglyceride levels (β, 0.17; p=0.005), blood pressure (β, 0.18; p=0.005), and fasting glucose (β, 0.17; p=0.009).

Blood pressure and waist circumference remained significantly associated with noncalcified coronary burden after adjusting for all other metabolic syndrome factors.

“Efforts to increase metabolic syndrome awareness in psoriasis should be undertaken to reduce the heightened cardiovascular disease risk,” the authors said.

The study was limited by its observational nature, which has reduced ability to control for confounders.