New research reveals a genetic connection between cardiovascular disease and psoriasis, suggesting shared inflammatory mechanisms. The findings may guide future treatments for both conditions and underscore the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health in psoriasis patients. In a recent study published in JAMA Cardiology , researchers investigated whether hereditary risk for cardiovascular illness predisposes individuals to immune-mediated disorders (IMIDs).
Background Researchers link immune-mediated disorders and cardiovascular illness to systemic inflammatory processes. However, causation, confounding variables, and biological processes remain unknown. Psoriasis is an excellent model for investigating this interaction since severe psoriasis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease development.
Cardiovascular risk factors, obesity, and dyslipidemia are common in the psoriasis community, particularly in those with severe cases. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to thick, scaly patches on the skin. The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it involves an overactive immune system that triggers skin cells to reproduce too quickly.
Mechanistic evidence supports the hypothesis that psoriasis-associated systemic inflammation drives this causal link. Overactivation of the interleukin 17/23 pathway, its presence in blood and carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and targeted blockage .