Can Serum Fetuin-A be Used as a Marker for Cardiovascular Involvement in Psoriatic Patients?

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disorder. It is associated with increased risk of developing other chronic health diseases such cardiovascular disorders. Fetuin A is a glycoprotein that is present in blood serum. It may prevent vascular calcification by forming calciprotien particles; which are formed from their attachment with phosphate and calcium complexes.

AIM

The aim of this study was to measure serum Fetuin A in Psoriatic patients and correlate its level with cardiac events and risks in these patients using CT calcium (Ca) scoring.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

24 psoriatic patients (healthy without apparent cardiac risks to detect subclinical events if present) and 24 age and sex matched controls were tested for serum Fetuin A and underwent coronary calcium scoring by multidetector computed tomography (CT) scan. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score for each patient was measured and was correlated with serum Fetuin A and CT calcium (Ca) scoring. Serum Fetuin A was compared between cases and controls and was correlated with coronary calcium score.

RESULTS

There was highly statistically significant decrease in serum Fetuin A level in psoriatic group compared to control group (-value < .001). There was highly statistically significant negative correlation between calcium score and the level of serum Fetuin A (-value < .001). No statistically significant correlation was found between the serum level of Fetuin A and the psoriasis severity.

CONCLUSION

Serum Fetuin A is a simple, easy diagnostic tool to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients.