Influence of Atorvastatin on Psoriasis Severity and Endothelial Function

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients older than 20 years * Patients with psoriasis of at least 3-years duration * Current moderate to severe psoriatic disease (PASI ≥12, IGA≥3) * Statin-naïve patients * No history of cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease or cerebrovascular disease) * LDL levels * LDL level \> 70 mg% and \< 160 mg% in low risk patients (defined as having none or a single risk factor\*) * LDL \> 70 mg% and \< 130 mg% in moderate risk patients (defined as the presence of 2 or more risk factors\*) * LDL \> 70 mg% and \< 100 mg% in patients with type II diabetes * hsCRP ≥ 1 mg/l \* Risk factors: smoking, hypertension (blood pressure \> 140/90 or current treatment with blood pressure lowering agents, HDL \< 40 mg%, family history of premature coronary artery disease in a first degree relative younger than 45 (men) or 55 (women) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30). Exclusion Criteria: * Current statin therapy * Patents with Atrial Fibrillation * Elevated liver enzymes (\> X3 ULN) * History of statin-induced liver enzyme elevation * Elevated CPK levels (\> X3 ULN) * History of myopathy including statin-induced * Severe chronic renal failure (GFR \<30 ml/min) * Pregnant or breast-feeding women * Individuals at risk for poor protocol, or medication compliance * Patients with life-expectancy of less than 2 years * Patients who are currently participating in another clinical trial * Other current active inflammatory and/or infectious conditions * Sensitivity to any of atorvastatin ingredients * Concomitant drug therapy, taken on a regular basis, which may interact with Atorvastatin