Exercise capacity in patients with psoriasis assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing: a case-control study
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, cilt.101, sa.6, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 101 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.abd.2026.501470
- Dergi Adı: Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Cardiopulmonary exercise test, Cardiorespiratory fitness, Exercise tolerance, Psoriasis
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. Although reduced physical activity is frequently reported in these patients, objective data on physiological exercise capacity remains limited. Objective: To evaluate exercise capacity in patients with psoriasis using Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET), the gold standard method, and compare the results with those of healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 32 patients with psoriasis (off systemic therapy for ≥6-months) and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants underwent symptom-limited CPET on a cycle ergometer. Disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and Physician Global Assessment (PGA). Results: Patients with psoriasis demonstrated significantly lower exercise capacity compared to controls. Peak VO₂, percentage of predicted peak VO₂, VO₂ at AT, and work rate were all significantly lower (all p < 0.01). Peak VO₂ showed significant negative correlations with BMI, PASI, and PGA (all p ≤ 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, age (β = -0.17, p = 0.017), BMI (β = -0.30, p = 0.007), and PASI score (β = -0.47, p = 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of peak VO₂, explaining 63.4% of its variance (R² = 0.634, p < 0.001). Study limitations: The cross-sectional design and relatively small single-center sample limit causal inference. Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis demonstrated reduced exercise capacity compared with healthy controls, and disease severity was independently associated with lower peak VO₂. However, due to the cross-sectional design and the potential influence of unmeasured cardiometabolic and lifestyle-related confounders, causality cannot be established, and further prospective studies are required.