Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory and relapsing immune-mediated skin disorder. The incidence of complications by comorbidities is higher in psoriasis patients compared to the normal population. The circulating blood of patients with psoriasis has more platelet macro and micro-aggregates. However, few investigations were found to explain the cause of these platelet aggregates in psoriasis.
This study aimed to (1) assess platelet activity in psoriasis patients, (2) compare cases associated with comorbidity and those without, and (3) study the effect of therapy.
Patients and Methods: This study was performed on 40 psoriasis patients and 20 healthy controls. Among those patients, 19 cases have dyslipidemia, and 21 do not. They also include 20 newly diagnosed cases compared to 20 under therapy. Complete blood count (CBC), including platelet (PLT) count and mean platelet volume (MPV), lipogram, platelet aggregation study using adenosine-diphosphate (ADP), collagen, Ristocetin, and arachidonic acid (AA) were done.
Results: The groups had no significant differences in the mean platelet (PLT) count and mean platelet volume (MPV). However, there was a significant increase in the mean values of platelet aggregation by ADP (p < 0.0001), Collagen (p < 0.001), Ristocetin, and Arachidonic acid (p < 0.01 for each) comparing all psoriasis patients and normal control. There was a significant increase in the mean value of aggregation by ADP, Ristocetin (p < 0.03 for each), and Arachidonic acid (p < 0.01), but not in the mean value of collagen in complicated group with dyslipidemia when compared to the group without. When comparing newly diagnosed to patients under therapy, there was a significant increase in the mean values of aggregation by ADP (p < 0.0001), Ristocetin, Collagen, and Arachidonic acid (p < 0.01 for each) in the newly diagnosed patients.
Conclusion: These findings could explain the cause of platelet hyperactivity in psoriasis patients and the presence of macro and micro platelet aggregates in these cases.