Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in psoriasis patients

  1. SK Çakmak1,*,
  2. Ü Gül1,
  3. C Kılıç2,
  4. M Gönül1,
  5. S Soylu1,
  6. A Kılıç1

Article first published online: 18 DEC 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.03024.x

Issue

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Volume 23, Issue 3, pages 300–303, March 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Çakmak, S., Gül, Ü., Kılıç, C., Gönül, M., Soylu, S. and Kılıç, A. (2009), Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in psoriasis patients. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 23: 300–303. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.03024.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    2nd Dermatology Clinic, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey

  2. 2

    Biochemistry Department, Memorial Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

* Correspondence: S K Çakmak. E-mail: seraycakmak@gmail.com

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 FEB 2009
  2. Article first published online: 18 DEC 2008
  3. Received: 7 July 2008; Accepted 1 October 2008

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Keywords:

  • folic acid;
  • homocysteine;
  • psoriasis;
  • vitamin B12

Abstract

Background  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.

Aim  The aim of our study was to examine serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in psoriasis patients.

Material and methods  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 B12 and folic acid levels were measured in both groups.

Results  Serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 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.

Discussion  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.

Conflicts of interest

None declared

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