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| Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2009): |
Keloid scarring, but not Dupuytren's contracture, is associated with unexplained carotid atherosclerosis.
Full Abstract
BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis, a response to injury, may be thought of as scarring in the artery wall. TGF-beta and associated signaling molecules have been implicated in the pathophysiology of keloid scarring, Dupuytren's Contracture and atherosclerotic plaques in independent studies. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that excess cutaneous scarring and Dupuytren's contractures predispose independently to carotid atherosclerosis . METHODS: Among 1,747 patients with plaque measurements and complete data for multivariable regression analysis, 57 Caucasian patients had Dupuytren's contractures and 12 had keloid scars. Carotid total plaque area (TPA) was measured by 2-Dimensional ultrasound. RESULTS: In linear multivariable regression analysis with coronary risk factors, keloid scars were associated with TPA (P= 0.018), but Dupuytren's contractures were not. Patients with keloid scarring were younger (P < 0.0001), and more likely to be diabetic (P < 0.0001) CONCLUSIONS: Keloid scarring is a clinical clue to excess atherosclerosis not explained by traditional risk factors. Such patients may benefit from therapy directed at targets related to signalling molecules common to both the process of keloid scarring and atherosclerosis. These findings suggest previously unexplored possibilities for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. The differences between Dupuytren's and keloid scars that may identify such targets are discussed.
Author information
Author/s: Bhavsar, Sankalp (S); Nimigan, Andre (A); Hackam, Daniel G (DG); O'Gorman, David B (DB); Gan, Bing Siang (BS); Spence, J David (JD);
Affiliation: Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Clinical and investigative medicine. Médecine clinique et experimentale (Clin Invest Med), published in Canada. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-; vol 32 (issue 2) : pp E95-102
Dates: Created 2009/03/31; Completed 2009/06/23;
PMID: 19331810, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/23/2009, IMS Date: )
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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