Mapping the nexus: tracing blood pressure changes in patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic condition driven by genetics, immune dysfunction, and environmental factors, impacting the skin, nails, joints, and potentially more. Understanding the correlation between psoriasis severity and blood pressure is crucial for mitigating the risk of cardiovascular comorbidities in affected patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the correlation between blood pressure and the duration and severity of psoriasis in affected patients. This is a cross-sectional study that included 150 subjects (100 psoriasis patients and 50 controls). After thorough history taking and complete general physical and dermatological examinations, the patients were divided into various grades of severity of the disease based on the Psoriasis Area Severity Index. Blood pressure of all subjects was measured. Patients with psoriasis have significantly higher levels of both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure than the controls (p=0.003 and p<0.001, respectively). A linear positive correlation was found between the systolic blood pressure (R²=0.768) and diastolic blood pressure (R²=0.550) and the duration of the disease. Similarly, a significant linear positive correlation was found between the severity of the disease and systolic blood pressure (R²=0.196) and also the diastolic blood pressure (R²=0.119). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that disease severity and duration independently predict elevated blood pressure (p<0.05). This study establishes the association of psoriasis with increased blood pressure and its correlation with severity and duration, shedding light on the complex relationship between the disease and cardiovascular health.