Electrocardiographic P-Wave Dispersion in Patients With Psoriasis- Is It an Indicator of Risk of Atrial Arrhythmias?

Abstract

BACKGROUND To find out the presence of prolonged P-Wave Dispersion (PWD) on surface 12-lead electrocardiography and to assess the risk of rhythm abnormalities in South Indian patients with psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS It was a prospective, cross-sectional, case control study. 49 psoriasis patients and 50 controls underwent relevant investigations including 12-lead surface electrocardiography. PWD was calculated in the two groups and the degree of its prolongation was compared. Severity of psoriasis measured as PASI score was also correlated with PWD. RESULTS Mean duration of the disease was 7.88 years with a mean PASI score of 7.19. Patients with psoriasis had higher triglyceride levels as compared with controls, 7% of the patients had abnormal ECGs and none among the controls. Statistically, significant difference in PWD was observed in the two groups. No correlation between the PASI score and PWD could be established. CONCLUSION Prolongation of PWD is a reliable noninvasive and easily measurable marker of risk of development of AF in chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.