Patients With Severe Psoriasis Need Evaluation Of Heart Disease Risk

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According to new recommendations in the December 10 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology (AJC), published by Elsevier, new research is called for and patients with severe forms of the skin disease psoriasis should receive evaluation and possible treatment to reduce their risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Psoriasis is a common skin disease affecting two to three percent of the world population, including 7.5 million Americans. The most common type of psoriasis causes a scaly rash that can cover large areas of the skin; some patients develop arthritis as well. In addition, there is now strong evidence that people with psoriasis are at increased risk of CAD—narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart, which can lead to heart attack (myocardial infarction) and other complications.

A special "Editor's Consensus" article provides an update on the little-recognized link between psoriasis and heart disease. “This AJC Editor’s Consensus focuses on a large new area of evidence strengthening the connection between inflammatory processes and coronary artery disease," comments cardiologist and lead author of the article, Vincent E. Friedewald, M.D., of the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Friedewald is also an Assistant Editor of AJC. "It is a particularly interesting and unique document in that it bridges current knowledge from two medical disciplines—dermatology and cardiology—that rarely interrelate."

"This consensus statement, issued by an expert panel of cardiologists, dermatologists, and scientists, calls for a new standard of care for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis," comments University of Pennsylvania dermatologist Joel M. Gelfand, M.D. "Based on the evolving science, we recommend that patients with moderate to severe psoriasis be educated about the association of psoriasis and cardiovascular disease and that these patients receive appropriate screening and treatment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors."


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A special "Editor's Consensus" article provides an update on the little-recognized link between psoriasis and heart disease.