Serum Adiponectin Levels and Their Association With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Patients With Psoriasis

Background and objective Low adiponectin levels have been described in conditions with high cardiometabolic risk, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidaemia. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and it is also associated with these conditions. In this study, we sought to assess the correlation between adiponectin levels and these risk factors including psoriasis severity. We investigated adiponectin value and its correlation with components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and psoriasis severity. Methods Serum adiponectin levels were obtained from 215 psoriasis patients in a tertiary dermatology centre in Singapore. Psoriasis severity was measured with the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), and cardiometabolic risk factors including obesity, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance, and waist circumference were measured. Patients answered a questionnaire regarding alcohol use, exercise, family history, smoking, and treatment history. Results Low adiponectin value was found in psoriasis patients with high body mass index (BMI) risk, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Patients with low HDL value had 25% lower adiponectin value compared to those with normal HDL. Adiponectin levels had a negative correlation with waist circumference. Psoriasis patients with MetS and a family history of cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs) had 17% and 18% lower adiponectin values than those without, respectively. There was no correlation between adiponectin level and PASI score. Conclusion Adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in psoriasis patients with obese-level BMI, MetS, increased abdominal girth, low HDL, high LDL, and a family history of CVA. Low adiponectin levels could play a role in predicting the development of MetS and possibly enable intervention to decrease the risk of cardiovascular mortality in psoriatic patients.