Significance of Serum Uric Acid levels in non-arthritic Psoriasis with special reference to Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Psoriasis has been considered of late as dermatological disorder with systemic inflammation that could contribute to various systemic events. There are studies that have demonstrated increased Serum uric acid levels in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There have been no studies so far on Uric acid levels in relation to psoriasis and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible presence of hyperuricemia in non-arthritic psoriasis and to analyze serum uric acid levels in psoriasis patients with and without MetS and in controls with and without MetS. Uric acid levels were also correlated with severity and duration of psoriasis. Materials and Methods: We performed a case control study on 100 psoriasis patients, 39 with MetS and 61 without MetS and 100 controls, 22 with and 78 without MetS, matched for age and sex. Serum uric acid levels were measured in all groups. Results: The overall serum uric acid levels were significantly higher in psoriasis patients when compared to the controls (P = 0.001). A significant increase was also observed in psoriasis patients with MetS than those without MetS in the same group (P = <0.001). Similar increase was observed between those with MetS in the psoriasis and control groups (P = <0.001). Conclusion: Serum uric acid should be monitored in patients with psoriasis. However, a prospective study is required in order to determine if the prevention or treatment of hyperuricemia may affect the development of MetS or the course of psoriasis.