WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Salam Hussein Shaaban*, Dr. Ala Hussain Haider and Professor Safaa Jawad Kadhem

ABSTRACT

Background: Psoriasis is a common disease affecting around 1-3% of world population and is associated with anumber of behavioral and systemic comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease. etc, to see ifthere is association between psoriasis and pulmonary hypertension this study was conducted. Patients andmethods: Case control study involved 52 psoriatic patients compared with 52 control group, history was takenregarding age, sex. etc, pulmonary function test was done to both groups with body mass index andechocardiography and the results were compared between the two groups. Psoriasis area and severity index wascalculated for each psoriatic patient. Treatment history was assessed specially methotrexate therapy. Results:Mean age of patients and control group were 43.9+13.69 years, 41.56+14.07, no significant difference betweenpatients and control group regarding age, sex residence, body mass index, ejection fraction, systolic and diastolicblood pressure, blood sugar, deceleration time, E-A ratio and pulmonary function test but there was significantdifference regarding pulmonary artery systolic pressure (higher in patient group) specially with increase duration,severity of disease and in patients using methotrexate therapy. Discussion: Pulmonary artery systolic pressure issignificantly increased in psoriatic patients reflecting that psoriasis may be systemic disease and may be due tothat sustained skin inflammation induce secretion of cytokine leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascularinflammation and thrombosis. Conclusion and recommendation: Pulmonary artery systolic pressure should becarefully monitored in psoriatic patients specially those on methotrexate therapy.