Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in psoriasis patients

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, stroke, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and venous thrombosis. An association between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases has been reported. The aim of our study was to examine serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B-12 levels in psoriasis patients. We performed a cross-sectional study in 70 consecutive outpatients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 70 age- and gender-matched controls. Serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B-12 and folic acid levels were measured in both groups. Serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B-12 levels did not differ between patient and control groups. In psoriasis patients, homocysteine levels correlated directly with psoriasis severity as measured by psoriasis area and severity index. Serum homocysteine level inversely correlated with serum folic acid levels in the patient group. Homocysteine levels correlated with psoriasis area and severity index in the patient group, which shows the disease severity. The increase in cardiovascular mortality with the severity of psoriasis might be also due to the effects of homocysteine. None declared.