ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in paediatric patients with psoriasis is not well established. AIM: To conduct a meta-analysis of previously published studies dealing with the occurrence of metabolic disorders in children with psoriasis. METHODS: Data from 7 studies with a total of 965 children with psoriasis were analysed using a random effects model. RESULTS: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy controls (HCs). In most studies, significantly decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were found in children with psoriasis. Mean level of HDL cholesterol in patients with psoriasis was 2.05 mg/dL lower than in HCs. Patients with psoriasis and HCs did not differ significantly in their mean triglyceride levels, although the difference was at a threshold of statistical significance. Mean level of fasting glucose in children with psoriasis was 5.75 mg/dL higher than in HCs (P < 0.01). The two groups did not differ significantly in mean waist circumference or in systolic and diastolic arterial pressures. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased levels of HDL cholesterol and increased concentrations of fasting glucose may represent very early stages of MetS in children with psoriasis. However, a large population-based study is needed to establish the relationship between psoriasis and MetS in children, including the environmental, genetic and immunological factors leading to their co-occurrence.
