Acanthosis nigricans: a warning sign of lower urinary tract dysfunction in obese children?
B Özhan1, H Asıltürk, S Yüksel
1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Pamukkale University, School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey. bayramozhan@yahoo.com.
Insights
In obese children, acanthosis nigricans is linked to lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). This finding suggests that skin changes may indicate underlying urinary issues in pediatric obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Urology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Limited research exists on lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and obesity-related metabolic issues in children.
- Obesity is a growing concern in pediatrics, often associated with metabolic disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between LUTD and metabolic disturbances in obese children.
- To identify potential clinical markers for LUTD in this population.
Main Methods:
- A study included 400 obese children (BMI ≥ 95th percentile).
- The Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Scoring System (DVISS) identified LUTD (score > 8.5).
- Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome were assessed using established criteria.
Main Results:
- Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) was present in 19% of obese children.
- No significant differences in metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance were found between groups.
- A significant association was observed between LUTD and acanthosis nigricans.
Conclusions:
- Acanthosis nigricans in obese children may indicate concurrent lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD).
- Further investigation for LUTD is recommended in obese children with acanthosis nigricans.
Objective:
There have been very few studies on the relationship between lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and obesity-related metabolic disorders in the pediatric age group. This study investigated the relationship between LUTD and metabolic disturbances in obese children.
Patients And Methods:
Four-hundred obese children (body mass index ≥ 95th percentile) were included in the present study. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Scoring System (DVISS) questionnaire was administered and scores over 8.5 were considered to be reflective of LUTD. Subjects were stratified into two groups based on DVISS symptom scores - obese children with and without LUTD. The homeostasis assessment model was used to evaluate insulin resistance and the International Diabetes Federation criteria to identify metabolic syndrome.
Results:
Lower urinary tract dysfunction was detected in 19% of the study population. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of laboratory results. No statistically significant relationship was found between LUTD and the presence of metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance; however, a significant association was observed between LUTD and acanthosis nigricans. Regression analysis revealed that only the presence of acanthosis nigricans significantly increased the risk of lower urinary tract dysfunction by 1.75-fold (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The presence of acanthosis nigricans in obese children may suggest the concurrent occurrence of lower urinary tract dysfunction and should be investigated accordingly.
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