Deranged iron status in psoriasis: the impact of low body mass

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Malgorzata Ponikowska²  Malgorzata Tupikowska²  Monika Kasztura¹  Ewa A. Jankowska¹ 

[1]Laboratory for Applied Research on Cardiovascular System, Department of Heart Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland

[2]Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland

关键词: Psoriasis;    Iron deficiency;    Hepcidin;    Inflammation;    Lean patients;   

DOI  :  10.1002/jcsm.12061

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Background

Iron deficiency (ID) frequently complicates inflammatory-mediated chronic disorders, irrespective of anaemia. Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disease with systemic pro-inflammatory activation; thus, these patients may be prone to develop ID. ID adversely affects immune cells function, which can further contribute to disease progression. This study investigates iron status in psoriasis.

Methods

Serum concentrations of ferritin, transferrin saturation (Tsat), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hepcidin were assessed as the biomarkers of iron status in 39 patients with psoriasis (17 men, age: 47 ± 10 years) and 44 healthy subjects (30 men, age: 53 ± 6 years).

Results

Compared with healthy controls, patients with psoriasis demonstrated similar haematologic status but deranged iron status as evidenced by decreased Tsat and elevated sTfR (negative tissue iron balance) and low levels of hepcidin (depleted iron stores) (all P < 0.05 vs. controls). In patients, the levels of interleukin-6 (level of pro-inflammatory activation) significantly correlated with hepcidin (R = 0.54), but not with ferritin, Tsat, and sTfR. Biomarkers reflecting ID were not associated with the severity of the disease (assessed with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) but significantly correlated low body mass index (BMI). Patients with BMI < 24 kg/m² compared with those with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m² demonstrated lower levels of ferritin (40 ± 30 vs. 186 ± 128 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and hepcidin (4.9 ± 2.3 vs. 10.7 ± 6.7 ng/mL, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Psoriasis is associated with deranged iron status characterized by depleted iron stores with concomitant unmet cellular iron requirements. The magnitude of these abnormalities is particularly strong in patients with low body mass index. Whether iron deficiency may become a therapeutic target in psoriasis needs to be investigated.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND   
© 2015 The Authors. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the Society of Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders

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