Background: Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology which is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of psoriasis on the autonomic nervous system modulating cardiovascular functions have not yet been adequately addressed. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular autonomic function with regard to duration of the disease in patients with psoriasis.

Materials and methods: 28 male psoriasis patients and 30 controls were enrolled in the present study. Based on duration of the psoriasis they were grouped in to new psoriasis (n-16)(Less than one year) and old psoriasis (n-12) patients (More than one year) group. Autonomic function tests (AFT) and short term HRV was performed in both psoriasis group and control group.

Results: In short term HRV, Time and frequency domain parameters were significantly reduced in new and old psoriasis patients as compared with controls, evidenced by the significantly low SDNN, RMSSD, SDSD, NN50 and pNN50. In autonomic reactivity test (table: 2) DBP in sympathetic reactivity in IHG (7.87 ą2. 72 vs 10.20 ą3. 67) was significantly decreased in old patients compared to new patients and control subjects. Resting heart rate, Valsalva maneuver, and 30: 15 ratio in lying to standing test for parasympathetic reactivity showed significant (P< 0.05) variation in old patients compared to controls.

Conclusion: In recently diagnosed patients with psoriasis there appears to be only compromised parasympathetic activity and in patients with chronic psoriasis both parasympathetic and sympathetic systems are compromised.