Cardiac Abnormalities in Psoriasis
- Author:
Priya Gill
;
Min Moon Tang
;
Adawiyah Jamil
;
Siti Zulfa Zulkifli
;
Noor Zalmy Azizan
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Psoriasis;
cardiovascular disease;
cardiac abnormalities;
echocardiogram;
electrocardiogram
- From:Malaysian Journal of Dermatology
2017;38(June):25-42
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction:
Psoriasis is considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor. This study aims to determine and
describe the cardiac abnormalities using echocardiography and electrocardiography in patients with
plaque psoriasis.
Methods:
This is a case control study of psoriasis patients with no previous history of cardiac disease. One
hundred and thirty-five patients attending the Dermatology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur were
recruited over one year. A full history, physical examination, echocardiogram and electrocardiogram
were done. The controls were 135 age and sex matched healthy individuals.
Results:
The psoriasis group had a significantly higher body mass index and blood pressure. The echocardiogram
showed that the mean left ventricular wall diastolic thickness, aortic annulus diameter and isovolumetric
relaxation time of the left ventricle was significantly prolonged, and a higher prevalence of tricuspid
regurgitation in psoriasis. On the electrocardiogram, more psoriasis patients had left ventricular
hypertrophy, ischaemia and right bundle branch block. The QRS interval was significantly shorter
in these patients. The tricuspid valve E/A ratio was significantly lower in patients with psoriatic
arthropathy. The mitral valve early filling velocity deceleration time, tricuspid valve E/A ratio and
QRS interval were significantly higher among systemic therapy naïve patients. The mean mitral and
tricuspid valve E/A ratio were significantly lower; and the mean ascending aorta diameter larger, in
those with psoriasis for more than ten years.
Conclusion:
Psoriasis may be associated with an increased risk of cardiac abnormalities suggesting diastolic
dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation. These abnormalities appear to be related to disease duration.
Further studies employing newer echocardiographic and cardiac imaging techniques are needed to
validate this.
