Lady with central obesity & bad. Skin showing purple striae –
**Question:** A lady with central obesity & bad. Skin showing purple striae -
A. Cushing's syndrome
B. Marfan's syndrome
C. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
D. Prader-Willi syndrome
**Core Concept:**
The provided question discusses the clinical manifestations of various disorders characterized by central obesity and purple striae (stretch marks) in the skin. Central obesity is defined as excess body fat accumulation around the waistline, and purple striae, also known as striae distensae, are long, narrow, and linear skin lesions caused by excessive stretching of the skin due to rapid weight gain, growth, or hormonal changes.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
A. Cushing's syndrome (CS) - This condition results from prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels, often due to pituitary adenomas or adrenal tumors. Central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and purple striae are common features of Cushing's syndrome.
B. Marfan's syndrome (MFS) - MFS is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting connective tissue, mainly caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene. Central obesity is less common, while skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular manifestations are prominent.
C. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - PCOS is a hormonal disorder affecting females, characterized by oligo- or anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Central obesity is a common feature of PCOS, but purple striae are less common.
D. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) - PWS is a genetic disorder inherited from a parent with a deleted chromosome 15q region, leading to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, neonatal hypotonia, and characteristic facial features. Central obesity is a prominent feature of PWS. Purple striae are less common compared to the other options.
**Why Each Wrong Answer is Incorrect:**
A. Cushing's syndrome: Purple striae are more common than in Marfan's syndrome, but central obesity is less common than in the correct answer (A).
B. Marfan's syndrome: Purple striae are less common than in Cushing's syndrome, and central obesity is a less characteristic feature compared to PCOS and PWS.
C. Polycystic ovary syndrome: Purple striae are less common than in Cushing's syndrome, Marfan's syndrome, and PWS. Central obesity is a common feature of PCOS but not as prominent as in the correct answer (A).
D. Prader-Willi syndrome: Purple striae are less common than in Cushing's syndrome, Marfan's syndrome, and PWS. Central obesity is a prominent feature of PWS but not as characteristic as in the correct answer (D).
**Clinical Pearls:**
1. A clinical pearl regarding purple striae is that they are more commonly seen in Cushing's syndrome and Marfan's syndrome due to specific hormonal and connective tissue abnormalities, respectively.
2. Central obesity is more characteristic in