European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SKIN TAGS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN KHARTOUM STATE

Marwa Adil Abd Elwahab*, Lamia Omer Osman and Adil Nasr Morsi

ABSTRACT

Background: Skin Tags are common benign skin growth found throughout the adult populations seem to be associated with insulin resistance. Methodology: Cross sectional descriptive study involving 96 subjects with different ages and genders randomly selected. Patients defined as subjects5 with at least three Skin Tags in different anatomical locations. Patients were divided into subgroups according to Skin Tags numbers into < 8 and ≥ 8 Skin Tags. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin level were measured. Insulin resistance was estimated using homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Insulin sensitivity was estimated using Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI). Results: A total of 96 patients; 52.1% (50) were normal and 47.9% (46) were insulin resistance according to HOMA-IR index (normal < 2.5). Association of insulin resistance among subgroups of Skin Tags numbers was significant (p-value < 0.0001) the most frequent locations were face and neck. Positive correlation of Skin Tags numbers with FBG, insulin level and HOMA-IR index were significant (p-value < 0.0001, < 0.0001 and < 0.0001) respectively and negative correlation was found with QUICKI (p-value <0.0001). FBG >126 mg/dL was associated with Skin Tags subgroups (p-value < 0.0001) and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus have been reported on 15.6% (15) of patients. Conclusion: Presence of multiple Skin Tags was associated with insulin resistance and may serve as a marker of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Keywords: Skin Tags, Insulin resistance, HOMA-IR.