Cardiovascular risk evaluation through heart rate variability analysis in psoriatic patients before and after 24 weeks of etanercept therapy: Prospective study.

Objective: To assess the influence of etanercept, an anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agent, on autonomic cardiovascular regulation in young patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis without cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: Patients with psoriasis underwent 5-min electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings before and after 24 weeks of etanercept therapy. Linear heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was performed.

Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation through Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Analysis in Patients with Psoriasis before and after 12 Weeks of Etanercept Therapy: A Preliminary Prospective Study.

The association between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases has been indicated by epidemiological studies. The sub-inflammatory systemic state that characterizes both psoriasis and atherosclerosis has been proposed as the link between these conditions; it cannot, however, explain the increased incidence of sudden cardiac death reported in young patients with severe psoriasis without common cardiovascular risk factors. In a previous study, we reported higher levels of autonomic dysregulation in patients with psoriasis, concluding that the prevalence of the sympathetic arm over the parasympathetic could increase cardiovascular risk.