A study of the association of acanthosis nigricans with subclinical atherosclerosis

• Published in: Indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology venereology, and leprology, 2017-03, Vol.83 (2), p.190-194
• Main Authors: Guevara-Gutiérrez, Elizabeth, Tlacuilo-Parra, Alberto, Gutiérrez-Fajardo, Pedro, Sánchez-Tenorio, Tania, Barba-Gómez, Fernando, Miranda-Díaz, Alejandra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acanthosis nigricans; Acanthosis Nigricans - diagnosis; Acanthosis Nigricans - epidemiology; Adult; Age; Atherosclerosis; Body mass index; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Care and treatment; Carotid arteries; Carotid Artery Diseases - diagnosis; Carotid Artery Diseases - epidemiology; Carotid Artery, Common - pathology; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Cholesterol; Confidence intervals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes; Family medical history; Female; Gender; Health aspects; Health care; Health risk assessment; Humans; Insulin resistance; Lipids; Low density lipoprotein; Male; Metabolism; Middle Aged; Obesity; Skin; Studies; Triglycerides; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0378-6323; 0973-3922; 1998-3611
• DOI: 10.4103/0378-6323.198445

Background: Hyperinsulinism is related to the presence of acanthosis nigricans and atherosclerosis; however, we were unable to find any study on the prevalence of atherosclerosis in acanthosis nigricans. Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis and metabolic alterations in Mexican patients with acanthosis nigricans. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study that included 45 patients with acanthosis nigricans, age- and gender-matched with 45 healthy participants. Volunteers with any comorbidity or taking weight reduction, glucose- and/or lipid-lowering medication or drugs capable of causing acanthosis nigricans were not included in the study. B-mode ultrasound tests were done to measure the carotid intima-media thickness. Body mass index, insulin, glucose and lipid blood serum levels were measured. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test and paired Student t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Carotid intima-media thickness was greater in patients with acanthosis nigricans (mean 0.52 mm vs. 0.46 mm, P = 0.002). The prevalence of abnormal intima-media thickness was higher in patients with acanthosis nigricans versus healthy participants (62.2% vs. 35.5%, P = 0.02). The same occurred with hyperinsulinemia (73.3% vs. 13.3%, P< 0.001), insulin resistance (86.6% vs. 33.3%, P< 0.001), obesity (86.6% vs. 13.3%, P< 0.001) and dyslipidemia (95.5% vs. 77.7%, P = 0.01). Limitations: The sample size is small and serum markers of cardiovascular risk were not measured. Conclusion: Acanthosis nigricans is a skin marker for metabolic disturbances and is also associated with carotid atherosclerosis, a finding which is not well documented. We propose that individuals with acanthosis nigricans should be routinely evaluated for these cardiovascular risks.