Acanthosis Nigricans and PCOS Symptomology in Hispanic Adolescents Living in Texas

Purpose: While polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is estimated to affect 10% of females, ~70% of females living with PCOS are thought to be undiagnosed, implying a high and unrecognized chronic disease burden. Acanthosis Nigricans (AN), texture and pigmentation changes to specific regions of the skin, is associated with insulin resistance, which is part of PCOS pathogenesis. The purpose of this study is to understand the association between AN and anthropometric, metabolic, or reproductive features and the relationship between AN and PCOS in Hispanic adolescents living in South Texas. Methods: Hispanic adolescents within 6 years of menarche were recruited into a cross-sectional study. Participants underwent collection of dried blood spots to measure reproductive hormones, fasting insulin, and HbA1c, a reproductive, menstrual, and medical history, and basic anthropometry. PCOS was defined as the presence of irregular menstrual cycles and the presence of either clinical androgen excess or biochemical hyperandrogenism. Presence of AN was defined as averaged scores between two sites greater than 1. Comparisons were conducted using independent sample t-tests, Fisher’s Exact Tests for categorical variables, and linear regression. Results: In our preliminary analysis of 52 Hispanic adolescents (10-18 years; M = 15 years), most (n=41; 79%) were of Mexican Origin. Seventeen percent of participants met both diagnostic features of PCOS; 32% did not exhibit any features of PCOS, and 52% presented with one diagnostic feature of PCOS (30% menstrual irregularity; 21% isolated androgen excess). Participants with AN were more likely to have obesity (57% vs 7%, p=0.01), higher body fat percent (42±8.3% vs 33±9.9%, p=0.01), and evidence of dyslipidemia (LDL, 115±21.7 vs 98±12.4, p=0.03; HDL, 45±2.6 vs 50±10.1, p=0.05). AN was associated with lower SHBG (35.6±21.4 vs 78.8±54.1, p=0.0005) and a higher Free Androgen Index (FAI) (4±2.5% vs 2±1.6%, p=0.002) which persisted after controlling for BMI (linear regression, p=0.06). AN was detected in 50% of adolescents who met criteria for PCOS, vs 4% with one diagnostic feature and 27% with no symptoms of PCOS (p=0.009). Conclusions: Hispanic adolescents in the US may be at a higher risk for PCOS when compared to global estimates of PCOS prevalence. Acanthosis nigricans is associated with metabolic and reproductive features associated with PCOS and may be a clinical indicator of PCOS in Hispanic adolescents; research is ongoing to test this hypothesis. Global Institute for Hispanic Health and Texas A&M Health Sciences Collaborative Seed Grant; Texas A&M AgriLife This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.