The Association of Psoriatic Arthritis with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Background: Previous studies have showed that psoriatic arthritis increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. On the other hand, an increased carotid intima-media thickness can be associated with atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between psoriatic arthritis and carotid intima-media thickness. Methods: In this case-control study performed during 2018, 22 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 22 healthy controls matched for age and sex were participated. In all subjects, the carotid intima-media thickness was measured by ultrasonography. Systemic inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were assessed in psoriatic arthritis patients. Results: The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 56±0.10 mm in the psoriatic arthritis patients and 54±0.07 mm in the control group with no significant difference (p=0.358). According to the regression analysis, carotid intima-media thickness had no positive correlation with age, sex and body mass index. The carotid intima-media thickness increased in psoriatic arthritis patients with increasing the duration of arthritis, disease activity (DAS-28), CRP, and ESR, but the correlations were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study findings do not support the previous reports that claimed a potential correlation between mean carotid intima-media thickness and psoriatic arthritis.