Abstract
Background and objective: Psoriasis is one of the most common and important dermatoses that may involve extracutaneous organs such as joints. Many factors may aggravate psoriasis such as stress, drugs and hypocalcemia. The present research was conducted to study the role of hypocalcaemia as a trigger factor in exacerbation of psoriasis.
Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study from may 2000 to May 2003 in Sina Hospital. 98 hospitalized cases with psoriasis were compared with 100 patients who were hospitalized due to other diseases. Two groups were matched for age and gender. The type of psoriasis, age and sex of patients and serum calcium and albumin levels in two groups were documented in a especial questionnaire. The results were analyzed with SPSS software and 2 test.
Results: Of all 98 patients with psoriasis, 37.2% were hypocalcemic and 63.7% had normal serum calcium. There was no hypercalcemia. In other group 9% were hypocalcemic, 89% and 2% were normocalcemic and hypercalcemic respectively. In 64.9% of hypocalcemic psoriatic patients, low serum albumin was noted. But all of control group had normal levels.
Conclusion: As hypocalcemia is a trigger factor of psoriasis, we can consider vitamin D analogues(e.g. calciptotriol)as a safe therapy for psoriasis and daily consumption of calcium supplements is suggested.