Longitudinal myocardial deformation and its improvement after treatment has an additive prognostic value to SCORE2 in psoriasis: a 4-year follow-up study

Abstract

Abstract Background/Introduction Psoriasis has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Purpose We investigated whether markers of cardiovascular function and their change after treatment have a prognostic value for adverse outcomes. Methods In a prospective study, at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with biological agents, we assessed in 298 psoriasis patients a) left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and b) carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), to evaluate their prognostic value for the composite endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including coronary artery disease, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure and all-cause death over a 4 year follow-up period. Results During follow-up, 26 (8.7%) MACE were recorded. By univariate analysis, decreasing absolute GLS values (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.73, p<0.001), decreasing GLS change after treatment (HR: 0.53, p=0.008) and increasing PWV values (HR: 1.16 p=0.049) were associated with adverse outcomes. Baseline GLS and its change post-treatment remained independent predictors of adverse events after adjusting for several confounders (p<0.05). The addition of baseline GLS and its absolute change post-treatment to SCORE2, increased Harrell’s C from 0.882 to 0.941. By multivariable analysis, for each 1% increase in absolute baseline GLS values, the risk of MACE decreased by 33% and for each 1% absolute increase of GLS post treatment compared to the baseline value, the risk of MACE decreased by 58%. Conclusion Global longitudinal strain has an independent and additive prognostic value to SCORE2 for adverse cardiovascular events in psoriasis, providing timely decision-making for intensive anti-inflammatory treatment and aggressive modification of risk factors to reduce cardiovascular risk.