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Endocrine Abstracts (2015) 37 EP1328 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.37.EP1328

13rd Pediatric Department Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Diabetes Center Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.


Introduction: Acanthosis nigricans is a condition commonly associated with disorders characterised by insulin resistance. Data regarding the treatment of acanthosis nigricans are still insufficient.

Case report: A 10-year-old overweight girl (BMI=24 kg/m2) presented at the obesity outpatient clinic. Her family history was negative for metabolic syndrome. Clinical examination revealed extensive acanthosis nigricans involving the neck and armpit. Laboratory tests were normal except for HOMA-IR that confirmed insulin resistance (HOMA-IR=14). The patient was started on hypocaloric diet and exercise without clinical improvement after 1 year. Acanthosis nigricans expanded involving neck, armpit and thorax, as insulin resistance increased (HOMA-IR=28.6). Metformin at a dose of 1700 mg daily was added to the diet and exercise with good clinical response. Insulin resistance decreased significantly after 3 months (HOMA-IR=5.85) and acanthosis nigricans regressed after one year of treatment.

Conclusions: Metformin may be an effective treatment option in some cases of acanthosis nigricans. Larger studies are necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of agents that reduce hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in the treatment of acanthosis nigricans.

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