Skin tags and the atherogenic lipid profile

This report details four patients who had skin tags, mainly on their torso, neck, and axillae, and who also displayed an abnormal Lipid profile. All s howed an increased serum triglyceride (fasting > 1.70 mmol/litre) and a dec reased high density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (< 1.1 mmol/litre in wome n and 1.0 mmol/litre for men) concentration. The displayed lipid profile is also known as the atherogenic profile and is associated with insulin resis tance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and an increased risk of cardiovascular di sease. Two of the patients had impaired glucose tolerance and one had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Three of the individuals had coronary artery disease. Skin tags might be a useful clinical sign that could alert clinicians to sc reen such individuals for abnormal lipids, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and ca rdiovascular disease.