Cardiovascular risk evaluation through heart rate variability analysis in psoriatic patients before and after 24 weeks of etanercept therapy: Prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of etanercept, an anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agent, on autonomic cardiovascular regulation in young patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis without cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: Patients with psoriasis underwent 5-min electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings before and after 24 weeks of etanercept therapy. Linear heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was performed. RESULTS: The study recruited 19 patients. Frequency-domain analysis showed a significant decrease in oscillatory components attributable to sympathetic activity (LF%) and a significant decrease in low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio following etanercept therapy. CONCLUSION: Treatment with etanercept in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis could affect cardiovascular autonomic regulation, and subsequently reduce cardiovascular risk.