Nedim KABAN, Yusuf HOSOGLU
Experimental and Applied Medical Science - 2026;7(1):12-21
Purpose: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) events. Conduction disturbances and arrhythmias are reported, yet electrophysiological mechanisms are unclear. The index of cardio-electrophysiological balance (iCEB=QT/QRS) and its corrected form (iCEBc=QTc/QRS) are new ECG markers of ventricular depolarization-repolarization balance. This study examined whether iCEB or iCEBc differ in PsA patients without CV comorbidities. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 24 PsA patients and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Individuals with cardiovascular or metabolic disease, electrolyte or thyroid abnormalities, or cardiac medication use were excluded. Standard 12-lead ECGs were reviewed. QTc was calculated with Bazett's formula. Group comparisons used the Mann-Whitney U test; correlations used Spearman's coefficient. Results: The PsA and control groups were comparable regarding age, sex distribution, biochemical findings, and baseline ECG parameters (all p>0.05). No significant differences were observed in iCEB (4.20 vs 4.05, p=0.284) or iCEBc (4.51 vs 4.32, p=0.307). Within the PsA group, iCEB and iCEBc were not associated with age, duration of disease, sex, smoking status, LDL-cholesterol, or CRP (p>0.05). Conclusion: In PsA patients without cardiovascular comorbidity, iCEB and iCEBc values were similar to those of healthy individuals, indicating preserved depolarization-repolarization balance. These results suggest that PsA alone may not increase arrhythmic risk through iCEB-related mechanisms. Larger prospective studies are required to determine whether iCEB becomes altered in patients with higher inflammatory activity or established cardiac involvement.
