Investigation of the relationship between seborrheic dermatitis and metabolic syndrome parameters

Background Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common, chronic inflammatory disease with relapses and remissions. Objectives So we planned to investigate the relationship between SD and metabolic syndrome (Mets). Methods 54 patients over 18 years of age without known diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease who were clinically diagnosed with SD in our clinic and 47 healthy controls were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated of all participants. Complete blood count, fasting blood sugar (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were examined. The relationship between the presence of MetS, disease severity, and duration was investigated. Results Average age of patients was 35.4 (sd: 12). Average age of controls was 32.9 (sd: 10.7). 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 (p = 0.004). The rate of people with high TG was significantly higher in the SD group than the controls (p = 0.015). HDL level was significantly lower in the patient group (p = 0.050). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were high in patients (p = 0.016, p = 0.029). Conclusions Seborrheic dermatitis should be considered as a MetS marker and the presence of MetS should be examined in this group of patients. This can be helpful for the early diagnosis of a systemic disease complex with numerous complications. Also, treatment of MetS can also improve SD lesions.