Abstract
BackgroundInflammation in the form of elevated high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been shown to be critical in the development of atherothrombosis. Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, is associated with high systemic-inflammation, elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and accelerated non-calcified coronary artery burden (NCB) by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We hypothesized that NLR would associate with early, rupture-prone atherosclerosis assessed as NCB independent of hs-CRP. Methods316 consecutive psoriasis participants were recruited with 233 having one-year follow-up as part of a prospective, observational cohort study design. CCTA scans were performed to assess NCB in all three major epicardial coronary arteries. ResultsPatients with above average NLR (>mean: 2.29 ± 1.21) were older (mean ± SD; 52.0 ± 12.8 vs. 47.9 ± 12.6, p = 0.002), had higher hs-CRP (med. IQR: 2.3 (0.9–7.3) vs. 1.4 (0.7–3.2), p = 0.001) and had higher NCB (mean ± SD; 1.21 ± 0.58 vs. 1.13 ± 0.49, p = 0.018) when compared to patients with below average NLR. NLR associated with psoriasis area severity index score (β = 0.14, p = 0.017), hs-CRP (β = 0.16, p = 0.005), as well as NCB independent of traditional risk factors, body mass index, statin use and hs-CRP (β = 0.08, p = 0.009). One year of biologic therapy for psoriasis was associated with a reduction in NLR (−14.5%, p < 0.001), and this change in NLR associated with change in NCB in fully adjusted models and beyond hs-CRP (β = 0.17, p = 0.002). ConclusionNLR associated with psoriasis severity, hs-CRP and NCB at baseline. Biologic therapy reduced NLR over time and this change in NLR associated with the change in NCB at one-year. Taken together, these findings suggest that NLR may capture psoriasis patients at higher risk of NCB due to residual inflammation not fully captured by hs-CRP.
Published Version
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