Role of C-reactive protein as a marker of disease severity and cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of studies addressing the elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) among psoriatic patients and the role of this marker in assessment of disease severity and association with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). OBJECTIVE: To assess the difference in CRP levels between psoriatic patients and healthy population and to determine their role in disease severity. Also to compare CRP levels in psoriatic patients with and without the metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of hundred patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and an equal number of age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study over a period of one year. Serum CRP levels of both cases and controls were estimated. Metabolic syndrome was identified among psoriasis patients using National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Panel III (ATP III) guidelines. Clinical activity of psoriasis was evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index Score. RESULTS: Patients with psoriasis reported significantly higher levels of CRP than healthy controls (P value 0.001). Patients with severe disease had significantly higher levels of CRP (P value < 0.003). Elevated level of CRP was observed among psoriatic patients with the metabolic syndrome than patients without the metabolic syndrome and the difference was statistically significant (P value = 0.001). CONCLUSION: CRP may be considered as a useful marker of psoriasis severity that could be used to monitor psoriasis and its treatment. Elevated levels of CRP may be an independent risk factor for CVD in patients with psoriasis.