CHOLESTEROL AND LIPOPROTEIN (A) LEVELS IN PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a common condition in the western world, but is uncommon in populations with a low prevalence of atherosclerosis such as Japane se, Blacks and indigenous North Americans, Psoriasis appeared to be mo re prevalent amongst patients attending our lipid clinic compared to t he general population, Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is elevated in conditio ns such as coronary heart disease and protein loosing nephropathies. P soriasis is a condition of increased epidermal protein turnover and lo ss and thus it might be postulated that increased levels of Lp(a) may be found in patients with psoriasis, The aim of this study was to expl ore an association between psoriasis and Lp(a) and lipid profiles. No association was found between Lp(a) concentrations and psoriasis, Alth ough six of 36 patients were found to have a cholesterol greater than 7.5 mmol L-1, the mean cholesterol for this group was not elevated.