Atorvastatin to Reduce Psoriasis Severity and Improve Endothelial Function in Patients With Severe Psoriasis and Non-Elevated LDL Levels: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
Atorvastatin to Reduce Psoriasis Severity and Improve Endothelial Function in Patients With Severe Psoriasis and Non-Elevated LDL Levels: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
Patients with psoriasis seem to have increased risk for developing atherosclerosis. This may be due to the fact that psoriasis and atherosclerosis are both caused by inflammation and involvement of cells of the immune system. Atherosclerosis is frequently treated by statins (class of cholesterol lowering drugs), which lower bad cholesterol levels and also reduce inflammation. Some new evidences also suggest that therapy with statins may improve psoriasis skin disease.
The current study aims are to evaluate whether a strong statin named Atorvastatin can improve psoriatic skin disease and functioning of the arteries. The study also aims to evaluate if the activity of these two diseases are related to levels of common inflammatory biomarkers (substance in blood) and whether Atorvastatin can change their levels.
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients older than 20 years
Patients with psoriasis of at least 3-years duration
Current moderate to severe psoriatic disease (PASI ≥12, IGA≥3)
Statin-naïve patients
No history of cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease or cerebrovascular disease)
LDL levels
hsCRP ≥ 1 mg/l * Risk factors: smoking, hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 or current treatment with blood pressure lowering agents, HDL < 40 mg%, family history of premature coronary artery disease in a first degree relative younger than 45 (men) or 55 (women) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
Exclusion Criteria: