Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events. Objective: To assess the prevalence of MS in a Mexican population with psoriasis. Methods: A descriptive, case control study was performed, involving a series of 209 patients. Relevant demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and analytic information was obtained from all participants. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the NCEP-ATPIII criteria. Results: The study included 103 patients with psoriasis and 106 controls. The mean age of the case patients was 48.37 years; 55% were women and 46% were men. Metabolic syndrome was significantly more common in psoriatic patients than in controls (41.7 vs. 20%, odds ratio: 1.738; 95% CI: 1.194-2.531; p < 0.001). We also found a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus (17.3 vs. 6.6%; p = 0.001), alcoholic habits (8.7 vs. 0.9%; p = 0.009), and higher levels of blood pressure (p = 0.002), BMI (p = 0.016), waist circumference (p = 0.008), and triglycerides (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Psoriatic patients have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, which can favor cardiovascular events.