Cardiovascular comorbidities in psoriasis

Psoriasis is recognized as a chronic, systemic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. Population-based epidemiological studies have shown that patients with moderate to severe psoriasis have an increased risk for various cardiovascular comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Associated cardiometabolic risk factors, lifestyle issues, pro-atherogenic medications, and the underlying chronic systemic inflammation of psoriasis may all contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk. While psoriasis may possibly confer an independent risk for myocardial infarction, the evidence is still weak at this moment. Physicians should take a proactive role in the screening and management of the associated cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with psoriasis.