Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia in xanthelasma palpebrarum and associated risk-2 factors-A case-control study

Background: Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) primarily causes cosmetic disfigurement. However, systemic associations like metabolic syndrome (MetS) and dyslipidemia need consideration.

Objective: Determining the prevalence of MetS and dyslipidemia in XP patients and explore risk factors.

Methods: Our case-control study included 106 XP patients(cases) and 106 age-and-sex matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent detailed history taking, physical examination, and biochemical investigations. MetS and obesity were diagnosed by NCEP-ATP III criteria and modified BMI classification for Asian-Indians, respectively.

Results: The odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI for XP patients vs. non-XP controls were 1.6 (95% CI 0.8-3.2, p = 0.1) for MetS, 1.4 (95% CI 0.6-3.1, p = 0.4) for dyslipidemia and 0.2 (95% CI 0.07-0.4, p < 0.0001) for overweight/obesity. Extensive disease, DM, and low serum HDL-C were significantly associated with MetS in XP patients (vs. controls). Normal waist circumference (AOR 21.3, 95% CI 3.5-127.6, p = 0.0008), normal blood glucose (AOR 21.4, 95% CI 3.1-145.1, p = 0.002), and normal blood pressure (AOR 22.3, 95% CI 3.9-124.9, p = 0.0004) significantly reduced the risk of MetS, while bilateral ocular involvement (AOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1-18.7, p = 0.04) significantly increased the risk of dyslipidemia in XP patients.

Conclusion: Xanthelasma palpebrarum patients are more prone to develop MetS and dyslipidemia and need evaluation, despite being a primarily cosmetic concern. Extensive disease and bilateral ocular involvement are significant risk factors. Adequate counseling and healthy life-style measures are crucial to minimize systemic complications.