Metabolic Syndrome and Skin
Skin, the largest organ of the body has numerous functions like immunological, thermoregulatory, cosmetic and metabolic. It acts as a mirror for our body .ie. whatever goes inside the body, leaves its prints outside the body. Skin is also easily accessible organ to study such signs and symptoms of diseases with naked eye. Any disease happening inside is reflected outside. A good experienced dermatologist can easily read them and make an early diagnosis of a number of diseases.
Metabolic syndrome is one such condition (whose prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate in developing nations) with various dermatological signs.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of biochemical and physiological abnormalities associated with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus, due to insulin resistance. Main criteria for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome are Hypertension (high blood pressure) - Systolic bp > 130 mm of Hg and Diastolic bp >85 mmHg; Triglycerides - >150mg/dL; HDL cholesterol - <40mg/dL (male) and <50mg/dL (female); Fasting blood glucose >100 mg /dL ; Central obesity .ie. waist circumference - >90 cm (male) and >80 cm (female) (Asian standard) . Atleast three out of five should be positive to clinch the diagnosis.
Metabolic syndrome can give rise to various dermatological conditions such as acanthosis nigricans (dark discoloration and velvety thickening of skin especially of body folds or creases like armpit, groin, neck), skin tag (small soft pendulous growth on skin near neck, armpit, eyelid), hidradenitis suppurativa (clusters of abcesses affecting underarm inner thighs, buttocks, groin), androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness). So such minor skin changes should never be taken lightly, they can be a sign of internally developing disease.
Whereas certain dermatological diseases lead to metabolic syndrome such as psoriasis, lichen planus and SLE. Treating these conditions shows favourable results on metabolic syndrome also.
Long standing cases of metabolic syndrome can result into CAD (coronary artery disease) and type 2 diabetes mellitus and rarely skin cancer. Metabolic syndrome slowly but significantly affects quality of life and leads to premature death.
Prevention is better than cure. Tracking these early dermatological signs and symptoms along with laboratory parameters can break the chain in early stages and may prevent or delay the development of debilitating diseases and the early mortality. Dermatologists as an integrated specialists in multidisciplinary approach are helpful in early detection and treatment. A little bit of awareness amongst the patients along with healthy lifestyle changes and proper advice from specialist can prevent from suffering and gives a healthy life.
