Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic disorders. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that was overexpressed in both psoriatic and atherosclerotic lesions. In a prospective controlled study, we investigated the correlation between serum levels of VEGF and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. METHOD: Sixty patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 60 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited to the study. Mean intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (MIMT-CCA) and serum VEGF levels of all subjects were measured. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as having an MIMT-CCA ≥0.8 mm. RESULTS: Serum VEGF levels in psoriatic patients were significantly higher compared with healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Psoriatic patients had significantly greater MIMT-CCA than healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Forty-five percent of patients and 6.7% of the healthy controls had subclinical atherosclerosis (P < 0.0001). In the patient group, subclinical atherosclerosis was significantly associated with serum VEGF levels, age, disease duration, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). CONCLUSION: This study supported the possible role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients.