Vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with psoriatic arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis, patients with inactive psoriatic arthritis, and healthy controls. Serum VEGF levels were correlated with clinical and laboratory features in patients with active psoriasis arthritis. METHODS: Serum samples from 14 patients with active psoriatic arthritis, 14 patients with inactive psoriatic arthritis, and 9 healthy controls were investigated. VEGF levels in the serum were measured using a sensitive sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: The mean serum VEGF concentration in patients with active PA was 394.4 pg/ml (394 +/- 171.8), in patients with inactive PA 200.4 pg/ml (200.4 +/- 115.7), and in healthy subjects 214.3 pg/ml (214.3 +/- 162.1). Patients with active psoriasis arthritis had significantly higher levels of VEGF compared to patients with inactive psoriasis arthritis and healthy individuals (p > 0.001). In contrast, VEGF levels were comparable in patients with inactive psoriatic arthritis and controls (p =0.659). Furthermore, in patients with psoriatic arthritis, VEGF levels were positively correlated with ESR, HAQ, PASI and VAS. CONCLUSION: VEGF levels may be regarded as a good indicator of active psoriasis arthritis.