Assessment of serum leptin, atherogenic lipids, glucose level, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in patients with skin tags

Abstract

BackgroundSkin tags (STs) are papillomas commonly found on the neck and on the axillae of middle-aged and elderly people. Metabolic syndrome is a complex of interrelated risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Epidemiologic studies on different ethnic populations have indicated that hyperleptinaemia and leptin resistance are strongly associated with metabolic syndrome.AimThe aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between serum leptin, homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and atherogenic lipid in patients with STs and to compare them with the levels in healthy controls.PatientsThis study included 90 participants, 60 ST patients and 30 apparently healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. Fasting glucose level, insulin level and insulin resistance were estimated in addition to cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, leptin and HOMA-IR levels.ResultsThe univariate analysis showed that waist circumference, BMI, fasting glucose, insulin levels, insulin resistance, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, leptin and HOMA-IR levels were significantly higher in ST patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis between metabolic syndrome components and ST showed that only high triglyceride levels and low HDL levels were significantly associated with ST. Multivariate linear regression analysis of the predictors of high plasma leptin levels showed that high triglyceride levels and low HDL levels were significant predictors.ConclusionThe results of this study suggested that the presence of both ST and hyperleptinaemia in patients with STs may be associated with high levels of triglycerides and low levels of HDL, and this could suggest that changing the life style of patients with ST may have a beneficial role.