Study on the levels of trace elements in mild and severe psoriasis

Abstract

Background Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent skin disorder characterized histologically by cutaneous inflammation, increased epidermal proliferation, hyperkeratosis, angiogenesis, abnormal keratinization, shortened maturation time and parakeratosis. Data on the involvement of trace elements in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is limited. Methods The elements namely Na, K, Ca, P, S, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Fe were analyzed in the serum samples of mild and severe psoriasis patients with a control group using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Patients were assessed as per standard clinical diagnostic criteria and classified into mild and severe psoriasis groups using Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score. Results In mild psoriasis, the levels of K, P, Cu, and Mg were increased significantly ( p < 0.001), while in severe psoriasis P, Mg, and Cu were increased significantly ( p < 0.001). The S and Fe concentrations were decreased significantly ( p < 0.001) in both mild and severe psoriasis types when compared to control. Conclusions There is a disturbance in the under-study element contents and also element–element interdependency in psoriasis serum when compared to controls.