Assessing the Association between Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Ischemia: An Investigation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Cutaneous Angiogenesis, and Arterial Stiffness

Alpana Mohta; Achala Mohta; Bhikam C Ghiya

doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_246_23

Assessing the Association between Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Ischemia: An Investigation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Cutaneous Angiogenesis, and Arterial Stiffness

Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023 Aug 10;14(5):653-657. doi: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_246_23. eCollection 2023 Sep-Oct.

Authors

Alpana Mohta¹, Achala Mohta², Bhikam C Ghiya¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
² Department of PSM, Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.

Abstract

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis's role in developing psoriasis and cardiovascular events has been established. However, the interplay between the two diseases regarding this cytokine remains an understudied area.

Aim and objectives: This case-control study aimed to investigate the relationship between VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and cardiovascular ischemia in patients with psoriasis.

Materials and methods: The study included 200 clinically diagnosed treatment-naïve cases of psoriasis and 200 controls. The VEGF level, cutaneous vascularity, and cardiovascular ischemia were measured between cases and controls. Cutaneous vascularity was assessed using non-invasive imaging technique such as laser doppler imaging (LDI) and measuring skin blood flow measurement (SBFM). Cardiovascular ischemia was evaluated using noninvasive techniques by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV). The arterial vasa vasorum was evaluated using ultrasound imaging.

Results: The study found a significant correlation between psoriasis severity and levels of VEGF (P < 0.001). Cases had significantly higher CIMT and PWV levels (P = 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between the severity of psoriasis and the levels of cutaneous angiogenesis (r = 0.7, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: According to this study, patients with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular ischemia due to excessive angiogenesis associated with the condition. VEGF plays a key role in atheroma formation in psoriasis patients.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; VEGF; psoriasis.