Pramod Patil
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (Du), Sawangi (M), Wardha
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and significant dermal vascular changes. Understanding these vascular alterations can provide insights into the disease's pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets.
Objective: To investigate dermal vascular changes in psoriasis and their association with disease severity using advanced imaging techniques and histological analysis.
Methods: This observational study included 50 patients with psoriasis and 20 healthy controls. Dermal vascular parameters were assessed using Laser Doppler imaging and high-resolution dermoscopy. Skin biopsies from psoriatic lesions and control skin were analyzed histologically for vascular density, capillary diameter, and vascular thickness.
Results: Psoriatic lesions exhibited significantly higher vascular density (120 ± 15 vessels/mm²), increased blood flow (45 ± 6 mL/min/100g), larger capillary diameters (8.5 ± 1.2 µm), and greater vascular thickness (35 ± 5 µm) compared to non-lesional skin and healthy controls. These vascular changes were strongly correlated with clinical severity scores (p < 0.01 for all parameters).
Conclusion: Enhanced vascular changes are prominent in psoriatic lesions and correlate with disease severity. These findings suggest that angiogenesis plays a critical role in psoriasis pathogenesis and highlight the potential for anti-angiogenic therapies. Integrating vascular assessments into clinical practice could improve disease management and treatment outcomes. Future studies should explore the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic implications of these vascular abnormalities.
Keywords: Psoriasis, Dermal Vascular Changes, Angiogenesis, Laser Doppler Imaging, Histology