Serum Prolactin Levels in Psoriasis and its Association with Disease Activity: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune chronic skin disorder in which an environmental factor, perhaps a viral antigen, induces T cells to produce cytokines. These cytokines stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and production of antigenic adhesion molecules in the dermal blood vessels. Several mediators and hormones have been implicated in keratinocyte hyperproliferation and among these hormones, prolactin (PRL) has been found to have an effect on epithelial cells, lymphocytes and keratinocytes, thus an effect on the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis. AIM: The present study was designed to compare serum PRL levels in psoriatic patients with a control group. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was a hospital-based case control study, conducted in the department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, SMHS Hospital (Associated teaching hospital of Government Medical College Srinagar) over a period of 1 year, from September 2012 to 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 60 patients of psoriasis (42 males and 18 females) and 60 controls matched for age and sex. Serum PRL levels of patients and controls were measured by ECLIA and inferences were drawn. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical significance of the results was carried out by the Chi-square test and the independent samples t-test. Statistical significance was determined at a level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Serum PRL levels were significantly increased in patients as compared to the control group (P value: 0.002). There was a positive correlation between pretreatment serum PRL levels and PASI score (r value: 0.379; P value: 0.003). An insignificant association was found between the pretreatment PRL level and serum PRL level after treatment (P value: 0.22). Also, a negative correlation between the duration of psoriasis and serum PRL was seen (r value: -0.008; P value: 0.954). CONCLUSION: PRL may have a role to play in the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis. However, further studies with large sample size should be carried out so as to validate this hypothesis.