The Effects of Biologic Agents on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Hepatic Steatosis in Patients With Moderate-To-Severe Psoriasis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
JEADV Clinical Practice, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1002/jvc2.70400
- Dergi Adı: JEADV Clinical Practice
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: biological Therapy, carotid intima-media thickness, interleukin-12/23 inhibitors, interleukin-17 Inhibitors, psoriasis, tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors
- Maltepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated systemic inflammatory disease associated with multiple comorbidities. Systemic inflammation in psoriasis is thought to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Biological therapies may exert beneficial effects on these comorbidities by suppressing inflammatory pathways. Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the effects of anti–TNF-α, anti–IL-12/23, and anti–IL-17 biologic agents on carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, and hepatic steatosis after 6 months of treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Methods: This single-centre, prospective, observational cohort study included 34 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Patients were grouped according to the biologic agent used: anti–IL-12/23 (ustekinumab, n = 7), anti–TNF-α (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, n = 9), and anti–IL-17 (secukinumab, ixekizumab, n = 18). CIMT and hepatic steatosis grades were assessed by ultrasonography at baseline and after 6 months. Changes in laboratory parameters, including C-reactive protein, liver function tests, and lipid profile, were also evaluated. Results: In the overall cohort, significant reductions in CIMT and hepatic steatosis grades were observed at 6 months (p < 0.01). No significant changes were detected in the anti–TNF-α group (p > 0.05). A significant reduction in CIMT was observed in the anti–IL-12/23 group (p < 0.05), without a significant change in hepatic steatosis. In the anti–IL-17 group, both CIMT and hepatic steatosis grades decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Intergroup comparisons revealed no significant differences in CIMT changes (p > 0.05), whereas changes in hepatic steatosis differed significantly between groups (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in laboratory parameters. Conclusions: Biologic therapies used in psoriasis may have beneficial effects on subclinical atherosclerosis and hepatic steatosis by reducing systemic inflammation. Among the treatment groups, anti–IL-17 agents demonstrated the most pronounced improvement in hepatic steatosis, suggesting a potential added benefit in patients with metabolic comorbidities.