Erythrocyte rheology in psoriasis patients: Comparison of two patient groups treated with cyclosporin-A and by topical preparations respectively

Abstract

Erythrocyte filterability and aggregation were measured in two separate groups of psoriasis patients, one treated with cyclosporin-A (CsA; 2 mg/kg daily) and the second with topical preparations only. Erythrocyte deformability indexes were significantly higher in both groups of patients in comparison with a healthy control group. Erythrocyte aggregation indexes were decreased significantly in psoriasis patients, however the indexes in the group treated with CsA were closer to the control values. These findings can be explained on the basis of biochemical changes in red blood cells observed in psoriasis patients, but the pathophysiological significance of hemorheological alterations remains unclear.