Metabolic Syndrome and Skin Disease: Potential Connection and Risk

The 2019 review article examined the potential links between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and skin diseases such as psoriasis, acne vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), atopic dermatitis (AD), and androgenic alopecia (AGA). It found that psoriasis patients are at a higher risk of developing MetS and cardiovascular diseases. Acne vulgaris is associated with insulin resistance, and HS shows a higher prevalence of MetS, obesity, and hypertension. The relationship between AD and MetS is less clear, with mixed study results. AGA is also potentially related to MetS, with a case-control study from India indicating a higher prevalence of MetS in AGA patients, as well as higher triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is commonly associated with obesity and MetS components like hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia. The review suggests that skin diseases could be indicators of MetS, and healthcare providers should be vigilant in monitoring patients with these conditions. More research is needed to confirm these associations.