Skin tags associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Both chronic kidney disease and skin tags are associated with similar cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, etc. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of skin tags in patients with chronic kidney disease, and to assess the relationship between skin tags and cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Methods We evaluated 358 patients [149 (41.6%) female and 209 (58.1%) male, 197 (55%) predialytic and 161 (45%) dialytic] with chronic kidney disease. All the patients were examined for skin tags by the same clinician, and evaluated for body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Results Skin tags were detected in 199 (55%) patients. Prevalence of skin tags was higher in males than in females (p = 0.041) and was also higher in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic ones (p = 0.013). Body mass index was higher in patients with skin tags when compared to patients without skin tags (p = 0.047). Skin tags were detected in 48.3% of normal, in 58% of overweight, and in 66% of obese patients (p = 0.029). Conclusion The presence of skin tags is merely related to male sex, obesity, and diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic kidney disease.