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Subject Area

Dermatology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to measure the serum level of lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and compare it with the intensity of itch in psoriatic patients. Background Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, hyperproliferative skin disease. Itching is a common symptom of psoriasis that significantly alters the patients' daily functioning and psychosocial well-being. LCN2 has been identified as an adipokine present in the circulation that is related to the modulation of immune responses, inflammatory reactions, and increased cell proliferation. Patients and methods This is a case–control study that was conducted on 44 patients with plaque psoriasis and 44 healthy controls. The patients were diagnosed according to their clinical features. Disease severity was evaluated by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). The degree of itch was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS). Serum LCN2 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in all participants, and then the correlations between LCN2 and VAS and PASI were analyzed. Results Serum LCN2 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy controls and also significantly higher in psoriatic patients who had itching than those who did not. LCN2 levels were found to be significantly correlated with VAS but not with PASI. Conclusion Serum LCN2 levels were higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy controls. There was a correlation between LCN2 serum level and intensity of itching in psoriatic patients, which reflects its relationship with the pathogenesis of itching in psoriasis.

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