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Inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases such as vitiligo may be associated with systemic disorders, including endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, due to some similarities in the pathogenesis. It was aimed to evaluate metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with vitiligo. Seventy patients with nonsegmental vitiligo and 70 age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls participated in the study. These participants were investigated for metabolic syndrome criteria. The mean intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (MIMT-CCA) of the subjects was measured for assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis. Metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis were significantly more frequent in vitiligo patients compared with the controls (P = .006 and P = .002, respectively). In addition, metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis had positive, significant correlations with the severity and duration of vitiligo (P = .031 and r = .482; P < .01, respectively). Our study suggested that patients with vitiligo, especially those with more chronic and severe disease or concomitant metabolic syndrome, are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of metabolic syndrome in patients with vitiligo to prevent cardiovascular complications were recommended. K E Y W O R D S atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, metabolic syndrome, vitiligo 1 | INTRODUCTION Vitiligo is an acquired skin disease characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes and the depigmentation of the skin and/or mucous membranes. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is not well known, though research has indicated the role of both genetic and environmental factors through a complex combination of inflammatory, immunologic, oxidative stress, and neural mechanisms. 1-3 Vitiligo may be associated with other autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Addison disease, and type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). 1,2,4 In addition, some studies have reported an increased incidence of type 2 DM, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome in vitiligo patients. 5 Proinflammatory cytokines that contribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 are known to have a role in the development of insulin resistance as well as atherosclerosis. 6 Nastaran Namazia and Maliheh Amani contributed equally to this study.

Psoriasis is known to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) is a marker of inflammation and an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. We aimed to assess the correlation between hs‐CRP and subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients. In 60 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 60 age‐ and gender matched healthy controls, we evaluated the serum hs‐CRP level and mean intima‐media thickness of the common carotid artery (MIMT‐CCA). Psoriatic patients had higher levels of hs‐CRP (median, 2.25 mg/L; IQR, 0.98‐3.80; and range, 0.29‐11.60) than did those in the control group (median, 1.03 mg/L; IQR, 0.36‐2.15; and range, 0.10‐3.35). Psoriatic patients also had higher mean MIMT (0.74 ± 0.19 and 0.54 ± 0.12, respectively, and P < .0001) compared with healthy subjects. The serum level of hs‐CRP was significantly correlated with MIMT (P < .0001). Our results indicate that psoriatic patients have a higher risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and hs‐CRP may be a useful marker for future risk of cardiovascular diseases in these patients. So, not only does anti‐inflammatory drugs play a key role in the treatment of psoriasis, but also they may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by decreasing level of inflammatory markers including hs‐CRP.

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