Skin tags and the atherogenic lipid profile
- 1Department of Chemical Pathology, Guy's, St Thomas's, University Lewisham Hospital, London SE13 6LH, UK
- Dr Crook, Department of Chemical Pathology, 5th Floor Tower, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK martin.crook{at}gstt.sthames.nhs.uk
- Accepted 7 February 2000
Abstract
This report details four patients who had skin tags, mainly on their torso, neck, and axillae, and who also displayed an abnormal lipid profile. All showed an increased serum triglyceride (fasting > 1.70 mmol/litre) and a decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (< 1.1 mmol/litre in women and 1.0 mmol/litre for men) concentration. The displayed lipid profile is also known as the atherogenic profile and is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Two of the patients had impaired glucose tolerance and one had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Three of the individuals had coronary artery disease. Skin tags might be a useful clinical sign that could alert clinicians to screen such individuals for abnormal lipids, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease.
