Psoriasis potential risk factor for infective endocarditis among patients with permanent pacemaker: Study

Device-related infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition with high mortality rates. Identifying comorbidities that heighten IE risk is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, is increasingly recognized for its cardiovascular implications. However, its impact on IE risk in patients with PPM has not been well studied until now.

This study utilized the National Inpatient Sample database to analyze patients with PPM, distinguishing those with and without psoriasis. Demographic and comorbidity data were collected, and a 1:10,000 propensity matching for IE risk factors was performed. This approach aimed to identify independent associations between psoriasis and IE.

• Out of 437,793 patients with PPM, 45 had psoriasis.

• The study revealed a significantly higher rate of IE in psoriasis patients compared to those without psoriasis (4.4% vs. 0.6%; P < 0.01).

• Multivariate analysis indicated that psoriasis patients had a 7.2-fold increased risk of developing IE (OR: 7.2 [1.7-30.2]; P < 0.01).

• Further, post-match analysis showed an 8.3-fold increase in IE risk for psoriasis patients (OR: 8.3 [2.0-34.4]; P < 0.001).

The findings from this study demonstrate that psoriasis is a significant independent risk factor for IE in patients with PPM. This increased risk necessitates further research to corroborate these findings and explore potential prophylactic measures to prevent IE in this vulnerable population. Given the chronic inflammatory nature of psoriasis and its systemic effects, the association with heightened IE risk underscores the need for comprehensive cardiovascular care in psoriasis patients with PPM.

Psoriasis independently increases the risk of infective endocarditis in patients with permanent pacemakers. These findings suggest a need for further studies to confirm the association and develop targeted prophylactic strategies. Understanding the link between psoriasis and IE could lead to improved management and outcomes for patients with both conditions.

Reference:

Wei, C., Mustafa, N., Grovu, R., Wei, C., Rizvi, T., Bradu, S., & Mustafa, A. (2024). Impact of psoriasis on the risk of device‐related infective endocarditis in patients with permanent pacemakers: a propensity‐matched analysis. International Journal of Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17292