A Case Control Study of Metabolic Syndrome in Psoriasis Vulgaris Patients at Tertiary Care Institute

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, disfiguring, inflammatory and proliferative condition of skin influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The prevalence of psoriasis vary from 0.1% to 3% in different population1. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is interplay of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines which play an important role in the pathogenesis of various other systemic diseases. Psoriasis has been reported to be associated with metabolic syndrome which increases the risk of Coronary Artery Disease. Aim: To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among patients of psoriasis vulgaris. Setting and Study Design: This is a case-control study and was conducted at the out-patient clinic of Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology of a tertiary care centre. Materials and Methods: Study was approved by the Institutional ethical committee. The patients were included in two study groups. 50 patients diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris were included as cases. Fifty age and sex matched controls were included in the control group. The detailed demographic history, duration of disease, family history and personal history was taken. Patients were assessed for severity of psoriasis using PASI score and blood sample collected was analyzed for fasting blood sugar levels and serum lipid profile. The data collected was evaluated using Chi Square test and unpaired t test. Results: Total 50 patients were included as cases and controls respectively out of which 11 (22%) were females and 39 (78%) were males. The mean age of cases and controls was 45.85 and 46.04 respectively. The mean duration of psoriasis in cases was 78.86 months. The mean PASI score was the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in psoriasis vulgaris was 46% in our study. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is a significant morbidity which predisposes the patients for Coronary Artery Disease. The patients of psoriasis vulgaris should be routinely screened for hypetension, Type II diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemias.