Dermatologic findings in patients with exogenous obesity: A prospective- clinical investigation

Abstract

Obesity caused by overnutrition without any underlying organic problem is referred to as exogenous (primary) obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate dermatologic findings and their associations with anthropometric parameters in patients with exogenous obesity.From the patients with presenting symptom of obesity, we included 66 with the diagnosis of exogenous obesity. We excluded the patients with following diseases that might cause dermatologic symptoms: Diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, renal diseases, and hepatic diseases. After comprehensive dermatologic examination, we noted all findings for each patient. We performed a statistical analysis to assess the association between dermatological findings and body- mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio.Sixty-four (97%) patients had at least one dermatologic finding. The most common dermatologic findings were plantar hyperkeratosis (63.6%), stria (56.1%), acrochordon (56.1%), and hyperhidrosis (54.5%). Presence of plantar hyperkeratosis, stria, and hyperhidrosis were significantly higher in females compared with males (p=0.013, p=0.004, p=0.032, respectively). The mean body mass index was significantly higher in patients with acanthosis nigricans and keratosis pilaris (p=0.016). The mean waist circumference was significantly higher in patients with hirsutism (p<0.039) and the mean hip circumference was significantly higher in patients with stria, intertrigo and acanthosis nigricans (p=0.012, p=0.045). The mean waist/hip ratio was significantly higher in patients with keratosis pilaris (p=0.024).Obesity has a significant association with various dermatologic findings as do main anthropometric parameters of obesity