Association Between Serum Uric Acid Level and Psoriasis: A Case Control Study

Introduction: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory and proliferative condition of the skin, associated with various disorders including metabolic syndrome. High serum uric acid levels are also associated with metabolic syndrome. Hyperuricemia is associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Objectives: To find out the association of serum uric acid with psoriasis. Materials and Methods: It was a case-control study including 104 patients, among them 52 were psoriatic patients (case) and 52 had disease other than psoriasis (control) after matching for age and sex. The study was conducted at Department of Dermatology, Universal College of Medical Science, from JanuaryDecember 2017. Clinical examination and proforma documentation including patient details, laboratory values of serum uric acid level, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score were studied. Results: Mean SUA in psoriasis patients was 4.70±1.37 mg/dl in female, 5.57±1.18 mg/dl in male whereas 4.85±0.74 mg/dl in female and 4.34 ± 0.98 mg/dl in male respectively in control group (p=0.002). Six (18.88%) male and three (15.78%) female patients with psoriasis had higher serum uric acid value whereas only four (3.84%) patient had higher serum uric acid value in control group (p=0.012). There was association between serum uric acid and psoriasis. Conclusion: Our study concludes that serum uric acid level is increased in psoriasis patients when compared with controls. Monitoring of psoriatic patients for high serum uric acid levels during treatment and follow up should be done to prevent its deleterious effect on psoriasis.