Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between Skin Tags and Vascular Risk Factors in a Bariatric Clinic-Based Cohort of Irish Adults with Morbid Obesity

In a cross-sectional study conducted 3 years ago on 164 Irish adults with morbid obesity (BMI ≥40 kgm-2 or ≥35 kgm-2 with co-morbidities), it was found that the presence of cervical or axillary skin tags was associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Out of the 100 participants (31 male, 37 with type 2 diabetes, 36 on lipid-lowering therapy, 41 on antihypertensive therapy), 85 had skin tags. Those with skin tags had higher systolic blood pressure (138.0±16.0 versus 125.1±8.3 mmHg, p=0.003) and HbA1c (46.5±13.2 versus 36.8±3.5 mmol/mol, p=0.017). Skin tags were present in 94.6% of patients with diabetes, compared to 79.4% of those without diabetes (p=0.039). Antihypertensive therapy was used by 45.8% of patients with skin tags compared to 13.3% without tags (p=0.018). The study concluded that skin tags were associated with higher SBP and HbA1c and a higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, indicating increased vascular risk. However, lipid profiles were similar regardless of the presence of skin tags.