Is insulin resistance a new comorbidity in seborrheic dermatitis: a case control study

Purpose: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with an unknown etiology. Data from studies show that the prevalence of SD is higher in individuals with obesity. Insulin resistance (IR) is a metabolic condition characterized by high levels of insulin required to balance blood glycemia, and obesity is one of its clinical manifestations. This study presents one of the first prospective studies revealing the relationship between IR and SD in the literature. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 71 participants were included: 35 SD patients (15 males/20 females) and 36 controls (15 males/21 females). All participants were clinically evaluated for the presence or absence of seborrheic dermatitis by the same dermatologist. Parameters including HOMA-IR, insulin levels, serum lipid levels, waist circumference, and BMI were measured in both groups. Results: HOMA-IR, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, waist circumference and BMI levels were higher in SD patients compared to the control group. Significant positive correlations were found between HOMA-IR and waist circumference, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride levels. Conclusion: This study suggests that IR could be a new comorbid factor in seborrheic dermatitis. A substantial association was observed between SD and insulin resistance, possibly due to shared inflammatory pathogenesis. Consequently, individuals with SD should be monitored for insulin resistance-related conditions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.