Characterization of Lipoprotein Composition and Function in Pediatric Psoriasis Before and After Treatment

Characterization of Lipoprotein Composition and Function in Pediatric Psoriasis Before and After Treatment

This study will assess differences in inflammatory proteins, lipoprotein composition, cholesterol efflux and HDL-proteome in moderate-to-severe pediatric psoriasis who at baseline begin systemically administered therapy vs: a) healthy controls; and b) patients with milder psoriasis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children ages 6-17 years of all races/ethnicities with plaque and/or extensive guttate psoriasis for at least 6 months and on topical or systemic therapy
• Patients in the systemic group can be starting a medication for the first time OR transitioning from another systemic if unresponsive and on that previous treatment for ≤ 3 months.
• Patients may concurrently have psoriatic arthritis if initiation of a systemic medication is warranted by skin severity.
• Children ages 6-17 years of all races/ethnicities with acne being treated with isotretinoin
• Children ages 6-17 years of all races/ethnicities without plaque or guttate psoriasis and history of severe acne or treatment with isotretinoin as controls.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients less than 6 years of age or 18 years and older
• Patients with congenital heart disease, prior cardiac catheterizations/surgeries, or on cardiac medications in the past two years other than for hypertension (eg, calcium channel-blockers, beta-blockers and vasotropic medications).
• Patients who have other systemic inflammatory diseases (including atopic dermatitis, severe acne, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, connective tissue diseases and/or other autoimmune diseases).
• Patients who have active infection or malignancy or have suffered from infection requiring oral or parenteral antibiotic in past 2 weeks.
• Patients and parents/caregivers unable to give written informed consent.