P140 Cardiovascular footprints of psoriasis: insights from lipid indices and carotid intima–media thickness

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder increasingly recognized as a systemic disease with heightened cardiovascular risk, even in the absence of conventional risk factors. Atherogenic indices and carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) serve as surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between atherogenic indices and cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre from June 2024 to November 2025. In total, 100 treatment-naive patients with psoriasis and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled (2 : 1 ratio). Fasting lipid profile was analysed and atherogenic indices including atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli Risk Index-I (CRI-I), Castelli Risk Index-II (CRI-II), atherogenic coefficient (AC), and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were calculated. Mean CIMT was measured using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests were applied, with P-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Compared with controls, patients with psoriasis demonstrated significantly higher total cholesterol (187 vs. 168 mg dL−1; P = 0.002), triglycerides (153 vs. 114 mg dL−1; P < 0.001), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (115 vs. 100 mg dL−1; P = 0.006) and very low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.001), while HDL cholesterol was lower but not significantly (P = 0.20). AIP was significantly elevated in cases compared with controls (0.50 vs. 0.39; P = 0.01), as was non-HDL cholesterol (143 vs. 126 mg dL−1; P = 0.009). Mean CIMT was markedly higher in patients with psoriasis than controls (0.064 cm vs. 0.048 cm; P < 0.001), indicating early subclinical atherosclerosis. Patients with psoriasis exhibit a significantly proatherogenic lipid profile and increased CIMT compared with matched controls, supporting psoriasis as an independent cardiovascular risk state. AIP and CIMT emerge as sensitive, noninvasive markers for early cardiovascular risk assessment in psoriasis. Early screening may enable timely intervention and substantial reduction of future cardiovascular morbidity.