Skin Tags as a Potential Indicator of Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Skin tags (acrochordons) are benign tumors of the skin with a soft consistency that commonly occur in the flexural areas. Skin tags are often found in individuals of middle and old age. Until now, many theories have been proposed to explain the mechanism of the skin tag; one of the theories is obesity and its association with metabolic syndrome. Aim of the Study:  To evaluate the demographic characteristics of skin tags and their relationship with the components of metabolic syndrome. Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with clinically diagnosed skin tags were enrolled in a 6-month observational cross-sectional study at Jomhoria Hospital, Benghazi, Libya. Data included medical history, anthropometric measurements (BMI, waist circumference), blood pressure, and biochemical parameters (fasting glucose, lipid profile, HbA1c). metabolic syndrome. was defined per standard criteria (≥3 of: abdominal obesity, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, low HDL, or hyperglycemia). Statistical analysis used SPSS v28, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among 50 participants diagnosed clinically as having skin tags included in this study, the demographic characteristics showed that the mean age of patients ranged from 29 to 78 years. 46% of study patients were females, and 42% had a family history. 26% of the participants were hypertensive, and 42% were diabetic. The average BMI was 29.3±2.6. 65% of patients were overweight and 42% were obese. The average hemoglobin level was 13.6±1.6 g/dl. The average HbA1c was 6.6 ± 1.3%. The mean cholesterol level was 182.7 ± 44.9 mg/dl, the mean triglyceride level was 237.3 ± 86.4 mg/dl, the mean HDL level was 56.9 ± 55.5 mg/dl, and 66% had metabolic syndrome. The higher proportion of metabolic syndrome among patients aged 50 years or more compared to younger ages (p-value. 0.030). Conclusion: Patients with skin tags are far more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.