Which skin condition is linked with an increased risk of Diabetes Mellitus?

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition characterized by dark, velvety patches in body folds and creases, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. It is often associated with insulin resistance, which is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The presence of acanthosis nigricans can indicate the body's difficulty in regulating insulin, leading to elevated levels in the bloodstream and subsequently increasing the risk of diabetes.

In addition to being a clinical sign of insulin resistance, individuals with acanthosis nigricans may also exhibit other common features related to metabolic syndrome, which further reinforces the link to diabetes risk. Early recognition and management of acanthosis nigricans can provide valuable insight for healthcare providers into a patient's metabolic health, guiding interventions to prevent the onset of diabetes.

The other conditions, while important in their own right, do not have the same direct association with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. For example, vitiligo is primarily an autoimmune condition affecting pigmentation, and psoriasis primarily involves chronic inflammation. Basal cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer, is not linked with metabolic conditions like diabetes. Thus, acanthosis nigricans stands out as the condition of primary concern