Cardiovascular Biomarkers That May Confer Increased Risk of Atherosclerosis in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Arthritis National Research Foundation, in collaboration with the National Psoriasis Foundation awarded a two-year translational research grant to Elaine Husni, M.D., M.P.H., of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Dr. Husni will examine evidence that psoriatic arthritis patients are at increased risk for heart disease by studying the connections between joint inflammation and cardiovascular inflammation.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is a disease with increased morbidity and mortality, and this is largely due to cardiovascular disease. The ability to predict and prevent cardiovascular disease in these patients is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing areas of medical research today. With so many advances in cardiovascular risk reduction in the general population, these concepts have only begun to surface in the study of psoriatic diseases.

This study will help identify and characterize the cardiovascular biomarkers in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that may allow earlier detection of those patients at risk for atherosclerosis (heart disease). This grant enables a cohesive team of scientists in rheumatology, dermatology and cardiology to come together to conduct innovative research that would not traditionally be possible.