Serum Lipid Levels and Other Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Psoriasis

Psoriasis patients are known to be at increased risk for heart disease. This may be due to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in this population, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. Although cholesterol levels are known to be altered in psoriasis, most studies have used standard lipid profiles to measure cholesterol. These tests indirectly measure LDL (bad cholesterol) and become less accurate when triglyceride levels are high, as often see in individuals with psoriasis. We have designed a case-control study that uses a more specific and detailed cholesterol test to measure serum lipid levels in psoriasis patients, allowing for more accurate determination of LDL and better assessment of the lipid-contribution to cardiovascular risk. We will also measure other markers of inflammation that may contribute to cardiovascular disease.