IntroductionIschemia-modified albumin (IMA), a novel ischemia marker, and mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, have been reported as elevated markers in cardiovascular risk factors such as atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and dyslipidemia. As psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease having comorbidities, IMA and MPV can help determine the risk factors for psoriasis.AimTo investigate the correlation between the psoriasis area severity index (PASI), IMA and MPV levels in patients with psoriasis.Material and methodsThis cross-sectional, case-control study was performed between January 2014 and December 2014 at the University hospital in Çanakkale, Turkey. Forty-five patients with psoriasis and 44 healthy volunteers over 18 years of age were included in the study. In the psoriasis patient group, clinical features and PASI scores were recorded. Serum IMA and MPV concentrations were evaluated in both groups.ResultsThe mean IMA values were 0.85 ±0.15 and 0.79 ±0.09 (in the psoriasis patients and control groups, respectively), and there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.048). Ischemia-modified albumin levels were not correlated with PASI scores (r = 0.024; p = 0.889) but were correlated with disease duration (r = 0.323; p = 0.048). There was no statistically significant difference between the MPV values of the two groups (8.98 ±1.14 and 9.19 ±1.28 in the psoriasis patients and control groups, respectively) (p = 0.435).ConclusionsIschemia-modified albumin may be used as a marker for detecting oxidative stress in patients with psoriasis, especially those with a long disease duration.

The VDR Fok1, TaqI, and ApaI gene polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of atopic dermatitis in the Turkish population but the BsmI polymorphism was found to increase risk.

IntroductionMean platelet volume (MPV) is an important marker that shows the activation and function of the platelets, which is effective in the inflammatory diseases.AimTo show the relationship between MPV and the development of psoriatic arthritis (PA) in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and the correlation between MPV and psoriasis severity score (PASI).Material and methodsOur study included 116 patients with psoriatic arthritis (68 female, 48 male) and 41 patients in the psoriasis group (19 female, 22 male) and 90 subjects in the control group (55 female, 35 male). The demographic data of the patients, duration of disease, PASI, the nature of the disease were evaluated retrospectively.ResultsMean platelet volume levels of both the PV group (8.79 ±0.86 fl) and the PA group (9.18 ±1.26 fl) were significantly higher compared to the control group (8.42 ±0.74 fl). There was a weak statistically positive correlation between the PASI and the MPV according to the correlation analysis (r = 0.165; p = 0.046).ConclusionsOur results show that MPV may be helpful as an indicator of the clinical course of PV and PA. In this regard, that study should be supported by prospective studies to find strong correlations.

IntroductionSTAT4 is an important transcription factor that activates gene transcription as a response to cytokines. Recently, the influence of STAT4 gene on autoimmune disease has been widely studied in many different immune-related diseases. Autoimmune, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders are more common in psoriatic patients. STAT4 may be a unique gene that switches on in autoimmune-related thyroid disease in psoriatic patients.The aim of the study: To explore the association of a STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism to autoimmune thyroid diseases in the general Turkish population and psoriatic subgroups.Material and methodsA total of 132 psoriatic patients and 118 non-psoriatic volunteers were genotyped for STAT4 rs7574865 using real time PCR. Twenty-four of the psoriatic patients and 15 of the non-psoriatic volunteers have autoimmune-related thyroid diseases.ResultsThe prevalence of the T allele [OR = 4.37; 95% CI: 1.05-19; p = 0.03] of the STAT4 rs7574865 was higher in individuals with autoimmune-related thyroid diseases among the all non-psoriatic volunteers. The volunteers with autoimmune-related thyroid diseases has an increased allele positivity and carriers having at least one of the risk allele was significantly higher than in counterparts with a GG wild genotype [ORGT/TT vs. GG: 1.73; 95% CI: 0.09-32; p = 0.03]. Yet, there was no evidence of an association between rs7574865 and autoimmune-related thyroid disease in psoriatic patients.ConclusionsThe STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism increases autoimmune-related thyroid disease susceptibility among the general population but not in psoriatic patients.

IntroductionBehçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with endothelial dysfunction. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a marker used in the detection of diseases associated with oxidative stress, vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and ischemia. Mean platelet volume (MPV) signifies the platelet function and activity.AimTo show whether MPV and IMA are useful in revealing the oxidative stress and the risk of thrombosis in patients with BD.Material and methodsTwenty-six patients with BD and 28 healthy volunteers as a control group over 18 years of age were included in the study. Serum IMA and MPV levels were analyzed in both groups.ResultsThe mean MPV values were identified as 0.86 ±0.15 and 0.82 ±0.08 (in the BD and control groups, respectively; p = 0.188) and the mean IMA values were 9.39 ±0.73 and 9.17 ±1.09 (in the BD and control groups, respectively; p = 0.275). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. The IMA values of BD patients who were in the active phase were significant as compared to inactive BD patients and control groups (p = 0.041). The IMA and MPV values of the thrombotic patients, non-thrombotic patients and control groups were not significant.ConclusionsIschemia-modified albumin may be a helpful marker of possible complications during an active period of BD.