Effectiveness of Lipid-Lowering Statin Therapy in Patients With and Without Psoriasis

Background Psoriasis is associated with dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome, and has been linked to an increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to compare baseline characteristics and effects of statin therapy on lipid levels and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with and without psoriasis. Methods This post-hoc analysis assessed patients from one primary cardiovascular prevention statin trial (Collaborative AtoRvastatin Diabetes Study [CARDS]) and two secondary cardiovascular prevention statin trials (Treating to New Targets [TNT] and Incremental Decrease in End Points Through Aggressive Lipid Lowering [IDEAL]). Baseline characteristics, lipid changes from baseline, and cardiovascular event rates were analyzed. TNT and IDEAL data were pooled. Results Baseline characteristics and lipid profiles differed minimally in patients with and without psoriasis. In CARDS and TNT/IDEAL, similar apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reductions occurred with statin therapy in patients with or without psoriasis. High-dose atorvastatin significantly reduced cardiovascular events vs. standard/low-dose statins in patients without psoriasis in TNT/IDEAL; similar numeric differences in event rates were observed in patients with psoriasis. Conclusions In this post-hoc analysis, statins improved lipid levels and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with and without psoriasis, supporting statin use in patients with psoriasis. Trial registration (ClinicalTrials.gov) NCT00327418, registered 16 May, 2006; NCT00327691, registered 16 May, 2006; NCT00159835, registered 8 September, 2005.