Mycosis fungoides and metabolic syndrome: A hospital-based case-control study

Background Emerging evidence now suggests an association between Mycosis fungoides (MF) and metabolic risk factors. Objective To investigate a possible association between MF and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Patients and methods This study was designed as an observational, case-control study. It included thirty MF patients and 39 controls who were assessed for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, serum leptin level and insulin resistance. Results Our results revealed that serum leptin level (P=0.029), TG (P=0.004), cholesterol (P=0.001) and LDL (P=0.019), waist circumference in males (P<0.003), hypertension (P=0.039) and frequency of metabolic syndrome (P=0.042), are statistically significantly higher in MF patients than controls. Conclusion Our results indicate that patients with MF may be at higher risk for metabolic syndrome. Concurrently, screening for metabolic syndrome is recommended for all MF cases for early detection of cardiovascular risk.