Inflammation
Updated meta-analysis confirms psoriasis patients have significantly higher Lp(a), with the gap twice as large in Europeans as in Asians (World J Clin Cases 2025)
Original title: Lipoprotein (a) levels are elevated in psoriasis: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
This updated systematic review and meta-analysis, registered with PROSPERO, searched PubMed and Cochrane Library through January 2025 for studies comparing Lp(a) between psoriasis patients and healthy controls. Eighteen studies with 1,650 psoriasis patients and 1,621 controls were eligible for qualitative synthesis; pooled analysis of 16 studies (1,401 patients, 1,320 controls) found psoriasis patients had significantly higher Lp(a) (mean difference 6.72 mg/dL, 95% CI 4.32-9.12, P < 0.00001, I2 = 71%). The European subgroup (189 patients vs. 178 controls) showed a more pronounced difference (MD 15.86 mg/dL, 95% CI 5.79-25.92, P < 0.002), while the Asian subgroup (1,177 patients vs. 1,127 controls) showed a smaller but still significant difference (MD 4.95 mg/dL, 95% CI 2.99-6.92, P < 0.00001). The authors conclude elevated Lp(a) adds to the known excess atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in psoriasis, with substantial heterogeneity and a regional gradient in effect size.
Original abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition related to an increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk.
Aim: To investigate whether lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels are increased in patients with psoriasis.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search up to January 30, 2025 was conducted utilizing PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. A qualitative synthesis and a meta-analysis on Lp(a) mean differences (MD) between psoriasis cases and healthy controls (HC) was performed. The protocol of this meta-analysis has been registered to PROSPERO (No. CRD420250652465).
Results: Eighteen studies with 1650 psoriasis patients and 1621 HC were eligible for qualitative synthesis. Pooled analysis from 16 studies (1401 psoriasis patients and 1320 HC) demonstrated that psoriasis patients had significantly higher Lp(a) levels compared with the HC group (MD: 6.72 mg/dL, 95%CI: 4.32-9.12, P < 0.00001, I 2 = 71%). Sensitivity analyses according to the region of origin was also performed. The pooled analysis of the European sub-population showed a pronounced increase in Lp(a) levels in 189 patients with psoriasis vs 178 HC (MD: 15.86 mg/dL, 95%CI: 5.79-25.92, P < 0.002, I 2 = 79%), while the pooled analysis on the Asian sub-population demonstrated a smaller but still significant difference in Lp(a) levels between 1177 psoriasis patients and 1127 HC (MD: 4.95 mg/dL, 95%CI: 2.99-6.92, P < 0.00001, I 2 = 58%).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Lp(a) levels are significantly elevated in psoriasis patients, further adding to their ASCVD risk.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.