Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of arthritis associated with psoriasis. Patients with PsA are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, and it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. PsA patients have a 32% increased risk of developing heart failure compared to the general population. Heart failure can be divided into two types based on whether the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is reduced or preserved. Some evidence suggests that rheumatoid arthritis may predispose to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, but data on PsA and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are lacking. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in PsA patients. Abdominal fat deposits, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT), are associated with a higher mortality risk and a higher risk of coronary artery disease. Data on VAT in PsA are lacking, and contradictory results have been published. Furthermore, data on hepatic fat as a marker of metabolic syndrome in PsA patients are lacking. Sarcopenia, defined as a decline in muscle strength and size, has been associated with cardiovascular diseases.
This study aims to compare the abdominal ectopic fat and muscle and their relationship with cardiovascular diseases in patients with PsA, psoriasis, and healthy controls. It is expected that there will be an increase in abdominal fat deposits and sarcopenia in PsA patients compared to healthy controls and patients with psoriasis. The results could help identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study also aims to compare heart failure with preserved ejection fractions in patients with PsA, psoriasis, and healthy controls. If an increase in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is confirmed, it could raise awareness among clinicians to seek this condition in patients complaining of dyspnea.
This project should last one year.
