Serum irisin level, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: a case-control study

Abstract Background Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of terminal follicular acrofundibulum. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate serum irisin, plasma glucose, insulin, and lipid levels in hidradenitis suppurativa, and elucidate possible associations with disease activity, inflammatory, or metabolic parameters. Methods This case-control study included 37 patients (M/F: 9/28) and 37 sex-, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls (M/F: 11/26). Demographic data, Hurley stage of disease, fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hematologic parameters, and serum irisin were assessed. Results The hidradenitis suppurativa group had significantly higher waist circumference than controls (p  Study limitation Physical activity and the exercise levels of participants were not documented. Conclusion This study indicates that hidradenitis suppurativa patients have higher serum irisin, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and triglycerides levels than healthy controls. Thus, the authors suggest that hidradenitis suppurativa patients should evaluated for insulin resistance and MS, and monitored accordingly.