Turkey: Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD) can be considered a marker of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its presence should be examined in these patients, states a recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

"The information can be helpful for the early diagnosis of a systemic disease complex with numerous complications. Also, MetS treatment can also improve SD lesions," Fadime Kılınç, Ankara City Hospital, Dermatology, Ankara, Turkey, and colleagues wrote in their study.

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common, chronic inflammatory disease with relapses and remissions. Dr. Kılınç and colleagues, therefore, aimed to investigate the relationship between SD and MetS.
The study included 54 patients above the age of 18 years without known diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or coronary artery disease who were diagnosed clinically with SD and 47 healthy control. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for all participants.

The examination of fasting blood sugar (FBG), complete blood count, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was done. The relationship between the presence of MetS, disease severity, and duration was investigated.
The average age of patients was 35.4 (sd: 12). The average age of the controls was 32.9 (sd: 10.7).
The findings of the study were as follows:
MetS was detected in 35.2% (n=19) of the patient group and 10.6% (n=5) of the control group.
The presence of MetS was higher in SD patients than in the control group.
The rate of people with high TG was significantly higher in the SD group than in the controls.
HDL level was significantly lower in the patient group.
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was high in patients.
"SD should be considered as a marker of MetS and the presence of MetS should be examined in this group of patients," the researchers wrote. "This can be helpful for the early diagnosis of a systemic disease complex with numerous complications. Also, MetS treatment can also improve SD lesions."
Reference:
doi:10.1111/jocd.15121