Patients with severe psoriasis need evaluation of heart disease riskDecember 18, 2008According to new recommendations in the December 10 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology (AJC) (www.ajconline.org), published by Elsevier, new research is called for and patients with severe forms of the skin disease psoriasis should receive evaluation and possible treatment to reduce their risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Psoriasis is a common skin disease affecting two to three percent of the world population, including 7.5 million Americans. The most common type of psoriasis causes a scaly rash that can cover large areas of the skin; some patients develop arthritis as well. In addition, there is now strong evidence that people with psoriasis are at increased risk of CAD-narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart, which can lead to heart attack (myocardial infarction) and other complications. A special "Editor's Consensus" article provides an update on the little-recognized link between psoriasis and heart disease. "This AJC Editor's Consensus focuses on a large new area of evidence strengthening the connection between inflammatory processes and coronary artery disease," comments cardiologist and lead author of the article, Vincent E. Friedewald, M.D., of the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Friedewald is also an Assistant Editor of AJC. "It is a particularly interesting and unique document in that it bridges current knowledge from two medical disciplines-dermatology and cardiology-that rarely interrelate." "This consensus statement, issued by an expert panel of cardiologists, dermatologists, and scientists, calls for a new standard of care for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis," comments University of Pennsylvania dermatologist Joel M. Gelfand, M.D. "Based on the evolving science, we recommend that patients with moderate to severe psoriasis be educated about the association of psoriasis and cardiovascular disease and that these patients receive appropriate screening and treatment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors." The explanation for the link between psoriasis and CAD risk is not yet clear, but a leading candidate is inflammation. Regardless of the cause, the expert panel believes that the current evidence is strong enough to recommend that doctors assess CAD risk in their patients with psoriasis. Key recommendations in the consensus statement include: * Informing patients with moderate to severe psoriasis that they are at increased risk of CAD and performing a medical evaluation to assess cardiovascular risk. For patients with milder psoriasis, evaluation is recommended if other CAD risk factors are present, such as obesity or high blood pressure. * Prescribing treatment to reduce high cholesterol levels and other risk factors, if present. * Paying close attention to possible interactions or adverse effects of the medications used to treat psoriasis. Elsevier |
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| Related Psoriasis Current Events and Psoriasis News Articles Curry-cure? Spicing up the effectiveness of a potential disease-fighter Scientists are reporting development of a nano-size capsule that boosts the body's uptake of curcumin, an ingredient in yellow curry now being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of several diseases. Skin-disease patients show brain immunity to faces of disgust People with psoriasis - an often distressing dermatological condition that causes lesions and red scaly patches on the skin - are less likely to react to looks of disgust by others than people without the condition, new research has found. Gene variation is 'major genetic determinant of psoriasis' A specific genetic region that has been increasingly identified as the strongest genetic link to psoriasis has an even more significant role in the chronic skin disease than has been suspected, University of Utah medical researchers show in a new study. Drug rescues memory lost to Alzheimer's disease A drug similar to one used in clinical trials for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis has been found to rescue memory in mice exhibiting Alzheimer's symptoms. Post-transplant combo can replace toxic immune-suppressing drugs in monkeys Transplant patients rely on drugs to prevent graft rejection, but at the cost of serious side effects. Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality The skin disease psoriasis is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death. Scientists discover new genetic immune disorder in children Your immune system plays an important function in your health-it protects you against viruses, bacteria, and other toxins that can cause disease. Study finds unexpected bacterial diversity on human skin The health of our skin - one of the body's first lines of defense against illness and injury - depends upon the delicate balance between our own cells and the millions of bacteria and other one-celled microbes that live on its surface. Vitamin D may halt lung function decline in asthma and COPD Vitamin D may slow the progressive decline in the ability to breathe that can occur in people with asthma as a result of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) proliferation, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. Home UVB therapy for psoriasis as effective and safe as hospital treatment For patients with psoriasis, treatment with ultraviolet B (UVB) at home is as effective and as safe as conventional hospital based phototherapy, concludes a study published on bmj.com today. More Psoriasis Current Events and Psoriasis News Articles |
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