Lipids in Health and Disease (Apr 2023)

Estimated sdLDL-C for predicting high-risk coronary plaque features in psoriasis: a prospective observational study

  • Alexander V. Sorokin,
  • Nidhi Patel,
  • Haiou Li,
  • Christin G. Hong,
  • Maureen Sampson,
  • Ross O’Hagan,
  • Elizabeth M. Florida,
  • Heather L. Teague,
  • Martin P. Playford,
  • Marcus Y. Chen,
  • Nehal N. Mehta,
  • Alan T. Remaley

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-023-01819-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Psoriasis (PSO) is a skin disorder with systemic inflammation and high coronary artery disease risk. A distinct lipid phenotype occurs in psoriasis, which is characterized by high plasma triglycerides (TGs) with typically normal or even low LDL-C. The extent to which cholesterol on LDL subfractions, such as small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C), are associated with vulnerable coronary plaque characteristics in PSO remains elusive. Methods A recently developed equation for estimating sdLDL-C from the standard lipid panel was utilized in a PSO cohort (n = 200) with 4-year follow-up of 75 subjects. Coronary plaque burden was assessed by quantitative coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Multivariate regression analyses were used for establishing associations and prognostic value of estimated sdLDL-C. Results Estimated sdLDL-C was positively associated with non-calcified burden (NCB) and fibro-fatty burden (FFB), which remained significant after multivariate adjustment for NCB (β = 0.37; P = 0.050) and LDL-C adjustment for FFB (β = 0.29; P < 0.0001). Of note, total LDL-C calculated by the Friedewald equation was not able to capture these associations in the study cohort. Moreover, in the regression modelling estimated sdLDL-C was significantly predicting necrotic burden progression over 4 years follow-up (P = 0.015), whereas LDL-C did not. Finally, small LDL particles (S-LDLP) and small HDL particles (S-HDLP), along with large and medium TG-rich lipoproteins (TRLPs) had the most significant positive correlation with estimated sdLDL-C. Conclusions Estimated sdLDL-C has a stronger association than LDL-C with high-risk features of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in psoriasis patients. Clinical trial registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT01778569

Keywords