Association of serum calcium level and serum uric acid level in psoriasis and its correlation with severity of psoriasis

Introduction:
Psoriasis is a common dermatological condition with multifactorial aetiology. Its cutaneous manifestations represent only a part of the spectrum. It is established that hypocalcaemia is associated with von Zumbusch type, although its correlation with severity is debatable. Increased mitotic activity and rapid cell turnover are implicated in psoriasis. Since uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism, it is expected to rise in psoriasis. This study was undertaken to analyse the debatable association of serum calcium and uric acid levels with the severity of psoriasis compared to other pruritic dermatoses taken as the control.

Objective:
To determine the association of serum calcium and uric acid levels in psoriasis and assess their correlation with severity.

Material and methods:
50 psoriasis cases and 50 controls (other pruritic dermatoses) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Cases were classified on the basis of severity (PASI and BSA). Serum calcium and serum uric acid levels were measured, and the data were analysed.

Results:
The mean serum calcium level in the psoriasis group (8.87 ±1.01 mg/dl) was lower than the mean calcium level in the other pruritic dermatoses group (9.66 ±0.71 mg/dl) with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.010) i.e. hypocalcaemia was associated with psoriatic cases as compared to other pruritic dermatoses. There was no significant difference in the serum uric acid level between two groups (p = 0.280). The severity of psoriasis was positively correlated to serum uric acid levels (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.446) and negatively correlated to serum calcium (Pearson correlation coefficient –0.320).

Conclusions:
Hypocalcaemia and hyperuricemia are both associated with severity of psoriasis.