ABSTRACT
Background: PASI score is used in evaluating the extent and severity of psoriasis. However, it is a subjective method with several limitations. Attention have been recently focused on some systemic immunological and inflammatory parameters useful in monitoring of psoriasis activity
Aim of work: was to detect whether the level of sICAM-1 and serum Beta 2 microglobulin could be useful parameters in monitoring the activity of psoriasis or not
Patients and Methods: This study included 40 psoriatic patients and 20 healthy controls. The patients were classified into two groups: The first group: Consisted of 20 patients in active phase of psoriasis, 10 of them were erythrodermic psoriasis and the other 10 were psoriasis vulgaris. The second group consisted of 20 patients in remission phase of psoriasis. The patients were submitted to detailed history taking, complete clinical and dermatological examinations, detection of the extent and severity of psoriatic lesions using PASI score, estimation of serum ICAM-1 and B[2]microglobulin levels by ELISA, and statistical analysis of the results was done
Results: Statistically significant elevation of sICAM-1 and P-, microglobulin levels was found in all psoriatic patients [active and remission] when compared to those of the normal control group. Statistical significant increase was found in sICAM-1 and B[2]microglobulin of patients in active psoriasis compared to those in remission phase. Statistical significant increase in sICAM-1 of active psoriasis vulgaris was found when compared to that of patients in remission phase and sICAM-1 of erythrodermic psoriasis compared to that of patients in remission phase. Statistical significant increase was found in P[2]microglobulin of patients with erythrodermic psoriasis compared to that of patients in remission phase but no statistical significant difference in B[2]microglobulin was found between patients with active psoriasis vulgaris compared to that of patients in remission phase. There was a statistical significant positive correlation between PASI score and sICAM-1 level, between PASI score and beta[2] microglobulin level and between sICAM-1 and B[2]microglobulin levels in all patients
Conclusion: sICAM-1 and 2 microglobulin are useful markers in monitoring the activity of psoriasis