The association between serum leptin level and the atherogenic index of plasma in psoriatic patients.

Psoriatic patients have increased cardiometabolic risk and elevated serum leptin levels; however, the association between these factors remains unknown. In this report, serum leptin and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were measured in a cross-sectional study of 100 patients with psoriasis. The results showed that the mean ± standard deviation (SD) serum leptin was 19.9±9.7 ng/mL. AIP was 0.3±0.06; 46% of patients were classified as low risk, 15% as intermediate risk, and 39% as high risk. Leptin levels increased with age, body mass index (BMI), and AIP and were associated with a twofold increase in the likelihood of elevated AIP (odds ratio [OR]=2.0; p=0.025). AIP was an independent predictor for higher leptin levels. These data suggest that serum leptin and AIP are linked in psoriasis and may reflect a shared inflammatory mechanism that contributes to increased cardiovascular risk.