Association of acanthosis nigricans and acrochordon with insulin resistance: A cross-sectional hospital-based study from North India

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a pre-diabetic condition and has been reported in patients with acanthosis nigricans (AN) and acrochordon. AN and acrochordon are claimed to be cutaneous markers of IR. Aim: The purpose of this paper was to study the association of AN and acrochordon with IR. Methods: It was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. Both groups were assessed for IR by using homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. Results: A total of 70 cases and an equal number of controls were studied. IR was observed more in cases (41.4%) compared to controls (17.1%) (P < 0.01). Mean HOMA-IR value was also significantly higher in cases (4.32 ± 4.44) compared to controls (2.27 ± 0.90) (P < 0.05). Limitations: Low number of cases and controls were taken in the study. Association with hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome was not elicited. Conclusions: AN and acrochordons were found to be associated with IR.