Risk of myocardial infarction in psoriasis patients: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis may or may not be associated with a higher risk for myocardial infarction (MI). We sought to assess differences in MI incidence between control, mild psoriasis and severe psoriasis patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of Kaiser Permanente Southern California members with psoriasis between 1 January 2004 and 30 June 2012, assessing the risk and incidence rates of MI.

Results: There were 50 865 control patients matched to 10 173 patients with mild psoriasis and 19 205 control patients matched to 3841 patients with severe psoriasis. The MI incidence per 1000 person-years for mild psoriasis controls, mild psoriasis, severe psoriasis controls and severe psoriasis were 4.9, 6.7, 3.7 and 5.1, respectively. Upon multivariable analysis, mild psoriasis patients had a significantly higher risk of MI compared to matched control patients {hazard ratio (HR) = 1.31 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 1.51]} and severe psoriasis patients had a significantly higher risk of MI compared to matched control patients [HR = 1.28 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.60)].

Conclusion: Patients with psoriasis are at higher risk for MI compared to control patients.

• Biologics
• cardiovascular
• inflammation

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Tony S. Yiu, Department of Research and Evaluation, KPSC, Pasadena, CA, USA, for his assistance in creating the data set that was used for all the analyses.

Declaration of interest

Dr. Wu received research funding from AbbVie, Amgen, Coherus Biosciences, Eli Lilly, Merck, and Pfizer; he is a consultant for AbbVie, DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

This publication was made possible by a KPSC Regional Research Committee grant which is partially supported by the Southern California Permanente Medical Group's Department of Research and Evaluation and Direct Community Benefit Investment funds. J.J.W. received research funding from Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Merck and Pfizer, which were not directly related to this study.