Skin and Metabolic Disorders – More Than a Superficial Link

What is Metabolic Syndrome?
The skin is a major organ of the human body and is exposed to various environmental changes. However, it also offers a window to presume what is going on inside the body. Changes in the skin may signal a more serious health problem, frequently serving as an indicator for underlying internal disorders collectively known as Metabolic Syndrome (Mets).

What are the factors of metabolic syndrome?
Several internal disorders present skin issues which may precede and occur concurrently with the internal conditions. There are studies about relationship of the most common skin manifestations of Metabolic Syndrome (e.g., diabetes, obesity, Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, inflammatorybowel disease, lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and tumors). However, the surveys regarding the relationship between metabolic alterations such as Insulin Resistance (IR) and dermatologic (skin) conditions are still scant. These indicators facilitate an early diagnosis in order to prevent the long-term consequences of Metabolic Syndrome.

How is Skin disorders linked to Metabolic Syndrome?
Any dysregulation in metabolism can lead to skin disorders and vice-versa. Likewise, obese patients are prone to rashes in body folds (intertrigo) due to sweating, occlusions, rubbing of skin surfaces together and inverse psoriasis. Psoriasis is often associated with other serious internal health conditions such as hypertension or high blood pressure. Adipose tissue (fat tissue) increases the production of androgens (male hormones ) in obese women making them more prone to polycystic ovarian syndrome. High blood glucose levels (Diabetes ) may result in poor wound healing and excess insulinlead the skin cells to grow abnormally. Dyslipidemia is another condition that causes development of fatty growths underneath the skin.

What are the Skin Signs of Metabolic Syndrome?

Acne Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial condition caused by endocrine abnormalities. It represents the most common skin disorders affecting about 85% of adolescents. The high prevalence cannot be only explained by the predominance of genetic factors but by the diet that overstimulates the metabolismnutrients and growth factors. One of the possible mechanism that explains acne in Metabolic Syndrome is a nutrient-activated mTORC1 signal that plays an important role in causing acne. Increased mTORCi signaling is a characteristic feature of IR, obesity, cancer , and neurodegenerative diseases.

Psoriasis Among the various skin conditions investigated at present, psoriasis holds a great interest in relation to Metabolic Syndrome. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, affecting 1 to 4% of the general population. It is considered as a multisystem disorder, rather than a skin disease alone. Its prevalence is about 15-25%. A plausible hypothesis states that psoriasis influences Metabolic Syndrome and arterial stiffness due to the various inflammatory markers [Interferon-Y, Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-a] circulating in the blood, the so-called ‘psoriatic march.’ It also states that psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that results in IR by altering insulin receptors

Hidradenitis Suppurativa A disorder that affects body parts such as the axillae and groin. Among other there was a higher incidence of diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension in people affected with this disorder

Alopecia Androgenic alopecia is related to Metabolic Syndrome and its early onset could be an independent factor pointing Metabolic Syndrome. A female pattern hair loss especially in people with hypertension and obesity makes it evident. The increase in free testosterone during IR is a contributing factor. Oxidative stress mechanism in addition accelerates the aging Mass Indices (BMI). Women with process, which further deteriorates squamous cell carcinoma/non with the advancing age.