(Reuters Health)—Arthritis that accompanies the skin condition psoriasis may also come with a higher risk of heart problems, according to a Hong Kong study.
In particular, patients with psoriatic arthritis may have a three- to four-fold higher prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis.
Clinicians need to identify patients with high cardiovascular (CV) risk so they can provide lifestyle advice and preventive treatment to those individuals, said study author Lai-Shan Tam of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are related, but not everyone with psoriasis will develop the more severe psoriatic arthritis associated with joint swelling and pain.