Myocardial function and effects of biologic therapy in patients with severe psoriasis: a prospective echocardiographic study

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease and is associated with cardiovascular events. Little is known about subclinical myocardial dysfunction and potential changes in myocardial function during anti-inflammatory treatment in these patients. We prospectively studied left ventricular function in patients with severe psoriasis who initiated biologic therapy. METHODS: Between November 1 2013 and May 31 2014 the study subjects underwent physical, laboratory and comprehensive echocardiographic examination at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Pearson correlation coefficients and Student's t-test were applied to assess changes in diastolic function (defined as the E/e' ratio) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS: Eighteen patients with severe psoriasis treated with biologic therapy with a mean follow-up of 85.6 ± 18.2 days were included. The patients had a baseline psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) of 12.0 ± 4.1 and normal left ventricular ejection fraction [(LVEF) 56.3 ± 3.8%], diastolic dysfunction (E/e' 8.1 ± 2.1) and GLS (-16.8 ± 2.1%). At follow-up, an improvement (baseline vs. follow-up) of PASI (12.0 ± 4.1 vs. 2.7 ± 3.1, P < 0.001), E/e' (8.1 ± 2.1 vs. 6.7 ± 1.9, P ≤ 0.001) and GLS (-16.8 ± 2.1 vs. -18.3 ± 2.3%, P < 0.001) were recorded. No changes were demonstrated in LVEF (56.3 ± 3.8 vs. 56.8 ± 3.3%, P = 0.31), body mass index (30.9 ± 5.7 vs. 31.0 ± 5.8 kg/m(2) , P = 0.90), mean arterial blood pressure (103.1 ± 8.5 vs. 103.7 ± 10.8 mmHg, P = 0.74). Likewise, no changes were seen in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate and glycosylated haemoglobin. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe psoriasis treatment with biologic therapy was associated with improved PASI and amelioration of myocardial dysfunction.