Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for
acanthosis nigricans (AN) in obese patients.
Methods: 80 obese patients without AN (OB group) and 128 obese patients with AN (AN group)
were included in this study. Clinical data for each patients were collected. Serum
levels of leptin were measured by ELISA.
Results: Body mass index (BMI), uric acid (UA) levels, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR were higher
in AN than OB (P<0.05). The levels of leptin were significantly higher in AN than
OB (P<0.001) after adjustment for BMI and gender. In male patients, AN showed lower
serum levels of testosterone than OB (P<0.001). Multiple Logistic-regression analysis
demonstrated that UA (OR 4.627, 95%CI 2.443–8.762, P<0.001) and Leptin (OR 4.098,
95%CI 1.237–13.581, P=0.021) were independent risk factors for AN. In addition, low
testosterone level was an independent risk factor for AN in male obese patients (OR
39.062, 95%CI 5.523–283.808, P<0.001).
Conclusions: AN is associated with more severe hyperinsulinemia and hyperuricemia in obese patients,
as well as lower serum testosterone levels in male patients. UA and Leptin were independent
risk factors for AN in obese patients. Low testosterone may be a valuable predictor
of AN in male obese patients.
Key words
obesity - acanthosis nigricans - insulin resistance - leptin - testosterone