Publication:

Metabolic syndrome in south Indian population with skin tags: a hospital-based case control study

Background Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of several clinical and laboratory cardiovascular risk factors that have been linked with numerous medical and dermatologic conditions. Recent evidence suggests a strong association between skin tags and insulin resistance and obesity, yet there is a paucity of data on relation of skin tags with metabolic syndrome as a whole. Aim of the study was to evaluate the strength of association between skin tags and metabolic syndrome.

Methods 70 patients with skin tags and an equal number of age and gender matched controls were enrolled in a hospital-based case control study. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fasting glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by the presence of 3 or more of the south Asian modified national cholesterol education program’s adult panel III criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using chi square test, and odds ratio was calculated. P≤0.05 were considered significant.

Results Metabolic syndrome was significantly more common in patients with skin tags than in controls (70% vs. 26%, p<0.001). Triglycerides and waist circumference values were significantly increased in cases as compared to controls (p<0.05).  There was no statistically significant difference in the high-density lipoprotein levels, fasting blood glucose levels and presence of hypertension among cases and controls.

Conclusion Skin tags when present in multiple could be an early warning sign for Metabolic syndrome. They serve a cutaneous marker to initiate early detection and intervention of at-risk patients for cardiovascular disorders.