A clinico-epidemiological study of acrochordons and their association with metabolic syndrome
Keywords:
Acrochordon, Skin tag, metabolic syndrome, Diabetes mellitus (DM), ObesityAbstract
Achrochordons(Skin Tags) are common benign tumours occurring in skin ofthe neck and flexural regions of the body.They most commonly occur inmiddle age and old age population ranging from size of 1mm to 2-3cm indiameter.The middle aged population most commonly seek treatment and olderpeople generally leave it attended.Cosmesis is the most common reason fortreatment,but they may sometimes cause chronic irritation due to pressure effector repeated friction.They can be multiple morphologies likelfilliform,pedunculated,sessile etc.They can be pigmented or of skin colour aswell.They don’t have any gender-predilection.Metabolic syndrome is a curse of modern time.Genetic as well as lifestyle hasbeen implicated for the same.Diagnosis involves presence of 3 or more out ofHyperglycemia,Hypertriglyceridemia,Decreased HDL Cholesterollevels,Central obesity and Hypertension,according to guidelines laid by NCEPATP III guidelines.Skin Tags is associated with the Metabolic syndrome in a significant number ofpopulation.The co-existant population may have clinical manifestation ofMetabolic syndrome or may be having subclinical disease.So the presence ofSkin Tag can be used to screen patients for metabolic syndrome and may aid inthe detection of the subclinical cases as well.Early initiation of lifestylemodification and therapy if required,may significantly decrease the morbidityassociated with the chronic disease.Hence it is advisable to be vigilant inpatients of Skin Tags,particularly in patients having more than 5 skin tags,andinvestigate them for Metabolic syndrome so that we detect and treat them early.References
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