Serum DSDNA is Associated With Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a recurrent autoimmune disease. No biological factor that is associated with the risk of psoriasis has been definitively identified. The potential role of the immunogen double-stranded (ds)DNA as a trigger of and biomarker for psoriasis warrants exploration. This multicentre case–control study included 3 069 patients with psoriasis and 7 041 healthy controls from 12 regions in China. The associations of the serum dsDNA level with the psoriasis risk and severity were analysed in the overall population. The serum dsDNA level was significantly higher in patients than in controls. Each 0.1 ng/mL increase in serum dsDNA was significantly associated with increased odds of psoriasis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.40–1.48; p < 0.001). The optimal serum dsDNA cutoff value for the diagnosis of psoriasis was 1.11 ng/mL, with 61.6% sensitivity and 74.8% specificity. A significant dose–response relationship was observed between the serum dsDNA level and the risk of psoriasis-associated morbidity when using the optimal dsDNA cutoff value as the reference. Serum dsDNA levels were positively associated with higher PASI and BSA scores and the severity of psoriasis. These findings suggest that serum dsDNA level is strongly associated with psoriasis morbidity and severity.