Prevalence and significance of acanthosis nigricans in an adult obese population.
METHODS
Acanthosis nigricans develops commonly in obese individuals, yet its prevalence and significance in an unselected adult obese population has not been determined. To address these issues, 34 patients enrolled in the Adult Obesity Clinic at Parkland Memorial Hospital (Dallas, Tex) were chosen at random and examined.


RESULTS
Acanthosis nigricans was observed in fully 74% of patients; its prevalence correlated positively with severity of obesity. Black obese patients demonstrated a greater propensity for manifesting the cutaneous disorder than did white obese individuals. Patients with acanthosis nigricans exhibited fasting plasma insulin levels that were markedly higher than those of nonacanthotic cohorts.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of acanthosis nigricans. Conversely, acanthosis nigricans is a reliable cutaneous marker of hyperinsulinemia in obese individuals.
Hud
J A
JA
Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235.
Cohen
J B
JB
Wagner
J M
JM
Cruz
P D
PD
D000052:Acanthosis Nigricans / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin