Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor- Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) in Patients With Psoriasis Vulgaris

Amer, Amin Mohamed; Saad, Sara Mohammed; Shalaby, Sally Mahmoud; Samir, Mai Ahmed

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2020.121009

Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor- Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) in Patients With Psoriasis Vulgaris

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2020.121009

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, systemic inflammatory disease that is defined by a characteristic skin reaction produced when elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines that alter the growth and differentiation of skin cells. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of variety of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. However, studies conducted on the relationship of TWEAK and psoriasis patients are limited.
Objective: We aimed to assess the serum level of TWEAK in psoriatic patients and determine whether levels are related with clinical variables, such as disease severity and duration.
Patients and Methods: The study was conducted on 30 patients with psoriasis attending Dermatology, Venerology & Andrology Outpatient Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals spanning the period from January 2019 to March 2019. They were divided into mild, moderate and severe according to Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, 10 patients in each group. The patients' age ranged from 10 to 60 years old. 10 healthy subjects with matched age and sex served as control group.
Results: There was non-significant difference between the studied groups regarding age, BMI, sex, family history, DM and smoking. However, the difference between them was highly significant regarding itching and presence of stressors. The mean TWEAK levels were significantly higher in psoriasis patients than in control subjects, which was significantly associated with severity and duration of the disease. There was positive correlation (P < 0.001) between serum TWEAK levels and severity of psoriasis with highly significant level in severe cases.
Conclusion: The serum TWEAK levels significantly correlated with the clinical state, as represented by the PASI score. Also, it was found that TWEAK measurement in serum of patients with psoriasis provides a tool for monitoring disease activity and its use as a marker of disease severity. Thus, they have prognostic significance.

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