Acanthosis Nigricans and Diabetes Risk Factors: Prevalence in Young Persons Seen in Southwestern US Primary Care Practices
Ann Fam Med Kong et al.
5: 202
The Article in Brief
Acanthosis Nigricans and Diabetes Risk Factors: Prevalence in Young Persons Seen in Southwestern US Primary Care Practices
Alberta S. Kong, MD, MPH
, and colleagues
Background This study looks at the relationship between acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition, and type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. More than 1,000 patients from 7-39 years old took part in the study.
What This Study Found Patients with acanthosis nigricans (AN) were almost twice as likely as other patients to have type 2 diabetes. Children and adults with a family history of type 2 diabetes had higher rates of AN than other patients. Identifying AN often led doctors and patients to discuss lifestyle changes that can lower the risk of diabetes.
Implications
- AN can be used to quickly identify patients with risks for type 2 diabetes.
- Diagnosing AN may help doctors identify patients who would benefit from lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of diabetes.
