Correlations of blood lipid levels with lesion area and severity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris in high-altitude areas

Objective To analyze the blood lipid levels of patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) in Qinghai, China, and their correlation with clinical features, lesion area and severity.

Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 185 PsV patients (PsV group). Another 185 healthy individuals were randomly selected as control group. The comorbidity prevalence of psoriasis was compared between the two groups. The blood lipid levels, lesion area scores, lesion severity scores, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores were compared between PsV patients from high-altitude areas (>3 000 m) and those from relatively low-altitude areas (2 000 to 3 000 m). The influencing factors of dyslipidemia comorbidity in PsV patients from high-altitude areas were analyzed.

Results The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, fatty liver, dyslipidemia, obesity and hyperuricemia in the PsV group was higher than that in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m², comorbidity with diabetes and history of alcohol consumption were risk factors for comorbid dyslipidemia in PsV patients from high-altitude areas (P < 0.05). The total serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lesion area scores, lesion severity scores, PASI scores and DLQI scores were higher in PsV patients from high-altitude areas compared to those from relatively low-altitude areas, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).

Conclusion There are significant differences in lesion area and severity among PsV patients from different altitudes and with different blood lipid levels. BMI≥25.0 kg/m², comorbidity with diabetes and history of alcohol consumption are risk factors for comorbid dyslipidemia in PsV patients from high-altitude areas.