Introduction: The pathogenesis of psoriasis is complex. Genetic factors have a basic role, followed by immunological disturbances, which have been found to provoke a chronic inflammatory process affecting the skin and joints. The study aimed to establish and analyze the relationship between the inflammatory manifestations and vitamin D status in the patients with psoriasis.
Patients and methods: We investigated 113 patients with moderate or severe psoriasis, divided in two groups for analysis: presence of psoriasis without psoriatic arthritis (n=73) and with psoriatic arthritis (n=40). Clinical data for inflammation were assessed by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). At hospital admission samples were collected for C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood count, as well as for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D. The serum levels of 25(OH)D were tested with immune fluorescent method in 92 patients.
Results: The patients with psoriatic arthritis compared to psoriatic patients without arthritis had higher C-reactive protein (31.77 30.61 mg/l vs. 4.13 4.19 mg/l, p<0.0001) and PASI (35.20 11.31 vs. 28.82 12.51, p=0.012) but lower 25(OH)D (10.66 8.73 ng/ml vs. 12.98 6.23 ng/ml, p=0.004). The significant correlation was found between the level of CRP and 25(OH)D, r= -0.2631 (p=0.012) and CRP and PASI, r=0.1993 (p=0.036).
Conclusion: The serum level of CRP and 25(OH)D, the vitamin D deficiency respectively, could be accepted as markers for worse health condition according to the clinical manifestations of psoriasis, as well as the comorbid diseases.
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