Acanthosis nigricans (AN), a brown (hyperpigmented) thickening of the skin is associated with hyperinsulinemia and may serve as an early proxy clinical marker of increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Research on insulin resistance, resultant hyperinsulinemia, and eventual exhaustion of the pancreas has established hyperinsulinemia as a marker for predisposition to T2DM. A population-based case-control study was conducted in a dataset of 1,066 children from elementary schools in Fort Worth, Texas. Children's ages ranged between 8 and 13 years, and 52% were females. Children with AN were compared to non-AN children in regards to selected factors. The crude and adjusted odds ratio was used as a measure of association. Adjusted analysis was performed by using binary logistic regression. Age was not found significantly associated with AN. Males had 48% less likelihood to present AN than females (p=0.001). As expected, obesity was strongly associated with AN (OR=18.7, 95%CI 11.9,21.2). Results were adjusted by age, gender and obesity: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were associated with AN OR=1.8(95%CI 1.1,2.8) and OR=1.6(95%CI1.1, 2.5), respectively. Being Hispanic increased the probability of having AN (OR=1.4, p=0.092). Watching TV more than 2 hours increased 80% the likelihood to present AN (OR=1.8 p<0.029). More active children at home were less likely to have AN (p=0.389). Eating at the school cafeteria, eating snacks, chips and sweets every day were not found importantly associated with AN. These findings provide evidence to better understand the epidemiology of AN, that is largely unknown.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation the participant will be able to: 1. Identify Acanthosis nigricans as an indicator of public health problems such as obesity and diabetes. 2. Describe the clinical features of Acanthosis nigricans. 3. Describe the basic epidemiology of Acanthosis nigricans. 4. List major factors associated to Acanthosis nigricans. 5. Discuss the importance of the early detection of Acanthosis nigricans.
Keywords: Children, Risk Factors
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.