الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic, hyperproliferative, inflammatory skin disease affecting about 2-4% of the worldwide population.
The skin lesions are sharply demarcated erythematous papules and plaques covered with silvery-white scales. The most frequent areas affected are the extensor surfaces of extremities, elbows, knees, lower back, buttocks, and scalp. It may be associated with nail affection or joint involvement.
There are many variations in the morphology of psoriasis as it is classified into several subtypes as plaque-type, guttate type, erythrodermic type, and pustular psoriasis.
Psoriasis may be associated with systemic comorbidities as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it may be the net result of the interaction among genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Itching is a very prevalent symptom of psoriasis affecting about 60-90% of patients which can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life as it may be associated with difficulty sleeping, anxiety, depression, difficult concentration, and feelings of stigmatization. Up to now, there is no definitive effective treatment for it.
Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2), also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), belongs to the lipocalin superfamily. Lipocalin-2 is involved in a series of processes such as apoptosis of hematopoietic cells, modulation of inflammation, and metabolic homeostasis This study aimed to measure serum LCN-2 levels among itchy and non-itchy psoriatic patients to evaluate any possible correlations between LCN-2 serum concentration and the degree of itching in psoriasis.