EVALUATION OF SERUM LIPIDS LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SKIN TAGS

Rim Zuhair Nasser* and Roula Baddour

ABSTRACT

Study Aim: To investigate the relationship between skin tags and high serum lipids, and to analyze how dyslipidemia severity correlates with the number of skin tags, patient age, and body mass index (BMI). Material and Methods: After obtaining informed consent, a comprehensive history was recorded for all participants, including age, weight, and height for BMI calculation, along with the number and location of skin tags. Current and previous medications were noted along with medical history and latent risk factors. Following a fasting period of at least 12 h, 5 ml of venous blood was drawn for various tests, including serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Serum lipid levels were compared between the case and control groups, and the results were analyzed for correlation with skin tag count, patient age, and BMI. Results: The study sample comprised 150 individuals, with 75 cases of skin tags and 75 controls. The average age for the case group was 42.19 ± 12.7 years, while the control group averaged 39.76 ± 12.3 years. In the case group, 36 males (48%) and 39 females (52%) were observed; in the control group, there were 35 males (46.7%) and 40 females (53.3%). The BMI in the case group was 28.65 ± 5.81 kg/m², compared to 24.68 ± 5.04 kg/m² in the control group. Skin tag counts ranged from 1 to 83, with an average of 17.97 ± 11 tags, predominantly located on the eyelids (40 cases, 53.3%). The mean total cholesterol (TC) in the case group was 222.71 ± 40.9 mg/dL, total triglycerides 190.8 ± 67.3 mg/dL, LDL 143.93 ± 46.15 mg/dL, and HDL 40.91 ± 16.5 mg/dL. In the control group, mean total cholesterol was 187.94 ± 34.8 mg/dL, triglycerides 138.11 ± 41.4 mg/dL, LDL 131.8 ± 29.7 mg/dL, and HDL 45.3 ± 18 mg/dL. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels, correlates with an increased presence of skin tags, suggesting a potential indication of dyslipidemia. An increased number of skin tags may reflect higher total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Keywords: Skin growths, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein.