Prevalence of Atherosclerosis in Psoriatic Patients Detected with Epiaortic Color Doppler Ultrasound and Computed Tomography Angiography

Annunziata Dattola; Guglielmo Manenti; Donatella  Ferrari; Laura  Vollono; Salvatore  Marsico; Feliciana  Lamacchia; Maria  Esposito; Mattia  Marchesano; Arianna  Zangrilli; Roberto  Floris; Alessandro  Giunta; Luca  Bianchi

doi:10.5826/dpc.1201a11

Prevalence of Atherosclerosis in Psoriatic Patients Detected with Epiaortic Color Doppler Ultrasound and Computed Tomography Angiography

Authors

Annunziata Dattola Dermatology Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Guglielmo Manenti Biomedicine and Prevention Department, UOC of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Donatella Ferrari Biomedicine and Prevention Department, UOC of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Laura Vollono Dermatology Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Salvatore Marsico Biomedicine and Prevention Department, UOC of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Feliciana Lamacchia Biomedicine and Prevention Department, UOC of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Maria Esposito Dermatology Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Mattia Marchesano Dermatology Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Arianna Zangrilli Dermatology Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Roberto Floris Biomedicine and Prevention Department, UOC of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Alessandro Giunta Dermatology Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Luca Bianchi Dermatology Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy

Keywords:

psoriasis, color-Doppler Ultrasound, Angio-CT; IMT; risk-factor

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis (PsO), a chronic inflammatory, multisystemic, and multifactorial disease can cause endothelial dysfunction, artery calcification, and atherosclerotic disease. A higher incidence of vascular occlusive events has been observed in psoriatic patients compared to healthy controls, and multiple studies confirm the association between moderate-severe PsO and atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcification, and higher cardiovascular risk.

Objective: We sought to analyze atherosclerotic disease prevalence in epiaortic vessels of psoriatic and non-psoriatic patients to understand if PsO could represent an independent risk factor predisposing to atherosclerotic disease.

Methods: We evaluated 47 psoriatic patients without cardiovascular risk factors with color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS). If atheromatous plaques were detected, a computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed. We evaluated 47 non-psoriatic patients without cardiovascular risk factors with CDUS. Atherosclerosis prevalence in both groups were statistically analyzed. CDUS performance was compared to CTA.

Results: In the psoriatic group (mean age 50.9 years), 6 had atheromatous plaques and 12 had an intima-media thickness (IMT) > 1 mm (overall prevalence of atherosclerotic disease: 38.2%). All plaques detected with CDUS were confirmed at CTA. In the control group (mean age 51.3 years), CDUS revealed atheromatous plaques in 4 patients and IMT > 1 mm in 4 ones (overall prevalence of 17%). The difference of atherosclerotic disease prevalence between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results highlight that PsO could be considered a predisposing factor for atherosclerotic disease development in epiaortic vessels, as it causes an increased IMT, that is also considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

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