Serum prolactin level in psoriasis: Is it really higher than in healthy individuals?

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease with a genetic predisposition. Prolactin may contribute to psoriasis pathogenesis. However, there has been a debate over the serum level of prolactin in psoriatic patients. The aim of this study was to describe the role of serum prolactin in the pathogenesis of psoriasis Method: The serum prolactin level was measured in 45 patients with psoriasis and in 45 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals using radioimmunoassay. Result: The mean serum prolactin concentration was not different between psoriatic patients and healthy controls (320 ± 179.38 vs. 318.18 ± 191.78 mIU/L, respectively P = 0.95). There was no sexand age-related differences in serum prolactin between the two study groups. Hyperprolactinemia (serum prolactin >324 mIU/L in men, and >496 mIU/L for women) was observed in 11 patients with psoriasis and 12 healthy subjects, which showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.81). The serum prolactin was not significantly correlated with the duration of the disease (r = -0.18, P = 0.24) or the PASI score (r = 0.10, P = 0.50). Conclusion: The possible role of pituitary-produced circulating prolactin in the disease process needs further investigations.