Psoriasis and hypertension: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND   Several studies stated that patient with psoriasis carried an increased risk of psoriasis but some studies did not demonstrate this association. OBJECTIVES   The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension in psoriasis based on a sample of Spanish population. METHODS   This was a hospital-based case-control study involving 661 psoriatic patients (cases) and 661 control matched by gender and age. Meta-analysis of the previous studies was made. RESULTS   The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in psoriasis patients than controls (30.3%, 21.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, hypertension was associated with psoriasis after controlling for age, gender, diabetes, obesity and smoking (OR = 1.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.94). CONCLUSION   The results of this study support the association between psoriasis and hypertension.