Patients with inflammatory skin diseases (ISDs) such as rosacea, alopecia areata, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study. The study found that chronic systemic inflammation, which is common in moderate to severe cases of ISDs, can contribute to CVD. While it is well established that psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are associated with increased CVD risk, there is less evidence for rosacea and alopecia areata. In a cross-sectional study, researchers compared adults with rosacea and alopecia areata to those with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, as well as control participants without any ISDs. The findings showed that patients with any of the four ISDs had a higher risk for CVD diagnoses, with arterial disease being the most elevated risk. Patients with rosacea had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with CVDs, particularly arterial disease and hypertensive diseases. Similarly, patients with alopecia areata were also at an elevated risk for all types of CVDs. The study also confirmed previous findings that patients with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis faced increased odds of CVD diagnoses. Additionally, the study found increased levels of markers of systemic inflammation in all four ISDs. The researchers hope that this study increases awareness among dermatologists about the association between ISDs and CVD risk, leading to improved evaluation and referrals for CVD in patients with ISDs. It also emphasizes the importance of treating ISDs as systemic diseases that may require systemic treatments.

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