Objective: The aim of the work is to assess some systemic affection in psoriatic patients like: lipid profile, glucose tolerance, cardiovascular system function and sexual function.
Patients and Methods: The study included 30 psoriatic patients as well as 30 healthy controls, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score were evaluated. Measurement of serum blood glucose levels (both fasting and 2 hours postprandial) was done to assess the relation between psoriasis and elevated blood glucose level. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were estimated to assess the relation between psoriasis and dyslipidemia. Echocardiography was carried out to assess cardiovascular system function. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF -5) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used to assess the relation between psoriasis and sexual function.
Results: Our results showed significant increased rates of elevated blood glucose level in psoriatic patients in comparison to control group with statistically significant positive correlation between elevated blood glucose level with both duration and severity of the disease (measured by PASI score). Therefore, psoriatic patients carry more diabetogenic risk. Also, results showed an association between psoriasis and cardiovascular risk factors as obesity, smoking, alcohol intake and dyslipidemia. Patients with psoriasis have distinct sexual dysfunction compared with healthy controls with statistically significant positive correlation between sexual dysfunction and the disease severity. Smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with a higher rate of co-morbidities in psoriatic patients.
Conclusion: Psoriatic patients especially smokers and alcoholics have an increased prevalence of the core components of the metabolic syndrome including; obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Psoriatic patients must be considered as a group at risk for cardiovascular disease, since psoriasis seems to be associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia and obesity. Psoriasis can also affect sexual function in both males and females. Co-morbid psychological factors, such as depression and anxiety, may be important determinants of decreased sexual functioning in psoriatic patients so; sexual dysfunction should be investigated and treated in psoriatic patients to improve patients’ quality of life.
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