Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory - proliferative disease, belonging to the group of autoimmune disorders. Although the disease process concerns mainly the skin, this is a systemic inflammation. In psoriasis there is an increased synthesis of proinflammatory proteins, such as: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), alpha2-macroglobulin, alpha1-antitrypsin and ceruloplasmin. Many studies have shown increased incidence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis. There is also relationship between severity of psoriasis and severity of the various components of metabolic syndrome (impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia and hypertension). Chronic inflammation seems to be a link between psoriasis and various components of metabolic syndrome. Proinflammatory cytokines may cause atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Presence of obesity and particular components of the metabolic syndrome may also play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease in patients with psoriasis. The primary intervention in patients with psoriasis and metabolic syndrome in order to reduce cardiovascular risk are lifestyle modifications, i.e. increased physical activity and dietary treatment of obesity, in combination with pharmacotherapy of particular components of metabolic syndrome.
