One Year Hospital Based Observational Study Of Serum Calcium Level In Psoriasis Patients Attending Kle Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital &Medical Research Centre, Belagavi

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis is a papulosquamous disease of the skin, which has genetic and environmental risk factors. The disease duration varies with remissions and exacerbations. Keratinocytes proliferation and maturation is regulated by intracellular calcium. Decreased serum calcium leads to exacerbation of the psoriatic lesions as shown in many studies. On basis of this, vitamin D and calcium are recommended. Hence this study was undertaken to observe serum calcium level in patients of psoriasis. Methodology: This study was conducted within duration of twelve months (January 2018 to December 2018) in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy in tertiary care hospital. The study was a hospital-based cross sectional study involving 60 patients. A written consent form was obtained. Subjects of both sex of age group 15-65 years with psoriasis were included. Venous sample was taken at enrollment visit, serum total calcium, serum albumin were measured. Statistical analysis of the data was done using chi square and student “t” test and using correlation method. An ethical committee clearance was obtained prior to the start of the study. Results: In our study majority were males 46(76.67%) and females were 14(23.37%). chronic plaque psoriasis was commonest type (85%).Hypocalcemia was seen in 14(23.33%) patients, commonest in severe psoriasis. Duration of disease and PASI were statistically significant in relation to hypocalcemia. Conclusion: Estimation of serum calcium should be considered in all patients with severe psoriasis and longer duration of disease, as hypocalcemia may be risk factor for severe psoriasis.