An Evaluation of Acanthosis Nigricans School Screening Results in Richardson Independent School District to Determine the Association of Acanthosis Nigricans and Other Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Gardner, Janet E., An Evaluation of Acanthosis Nigricans School Screening Results in Richardson Independent School District to Determine the Association of Acanthosis Nigricans and Other Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 2005, 65 pp., 11 tables, reference list, 47 titles. Cases of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been increasing at alarming rates in Texas. Identifying underlying factors, such as acanthosis nigricans (AN), elevated body mass index and hypertension, which might contribute to the development for type 2 diabetes, is critical. This study analyzed the relationship of AN with these risk factors of T2DM. Richardson Independent School District screening results for 2003-2004 were analyzed. This study concluded that calculated BMI values yielded the highest association with grades of AN. BMI-for-age percentiles greater than or equal to the 95th percentile and elevated diastolic and/or systolic blood pressures were strongly associated with AN grades.