Medical co-morbid conditions associated with psoriasis; psoriasis beyond skin.

Objectives: Patients with psoriasis have higher prevalence of associated medical disorders including psoriatic arthritis, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, thyroid abnormalities and cardiovascular disease. The rationale of current study was to determine prevalence of associated medical co-morbid conditions in psoriasis cases. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: Dermatology Clinic, Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital. Period: January to July 2015. Material & Methods: Informed consent was obtained from 117 adult patients (>18 years) of both the genders diagnosed with psoriasis for >3 months. Patients with chronic renal failure, chronic liver disease, erythroderma, chromosomal abnormality syndromes and pregnant females were excluded. Blood pressure and body mass index; i.e. BMI=weight (kg)/ height (m2) were documented. Fasting blood sugars, HbA1c, lipid profile and electrocardiogram was done. Results: Mean age was 41.94±11.60 years. Among 117 cases, 66(56.41%) were males and 51(43.59%) were females; male to female ratio was 1.3:1. Diabetes mellitus was found in 53(45.30%), hypertension in 21(17.95%), obesity in 29(24.79%), ischemic heart disease in 62(52.99%) and dyslipidemia in 22(18.80%) patients. Conclusion: Current study concludes that patients with psoriasis have higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus followed by obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension. It is suggested that psoriasis cases presenting to dermatology department should be assessed for these co-morbid conditions for early diagnosis and management of these conditions.