Characteristics of hormonal and metabolic abnormalities in women and men with acne

Abstract

The basis of acne pathophysiology is hormonal stimulation of the sebaceous glands and the formation of follicular hyperkeratosis. Currently, there is a lot of data on hormonal abnormalities in acne in women, but there are no systematic studies on hormonal and metabolic abnormalities in general in men and women and their relationship with acne development.

The aim of this study was to optimize the data on hormonal and metabolic abnormalities in acne in women and men.

Material and methods. 230 patients were observed, the median age was 21.0 [19.0; 22.0] years: in men – 20.0 [20.0; 22.0] (n = 129), in women – 22 [20.0; 23.0] (n = 101). The study included a dermatological examination with determination of the GAGS severity index, a biochemical blood test, and an assessment of the hormonal status of patients. Upon completion of the examination data registration, a comparative and correlation analysis of the results was performed.

Study results. It was found that in men with acne, hormonal and metabolic abnormalities are recorded in half of the patients and are characterized by the predominant formation of dyslipidemia and a significant increase in DHT and total testosterone. In women, hormonal and metabolic abnormalities were manifested by impaired glucose metabolism, an increase in LH and total testosterone, which were noted in a third of patients. The identified hormonal and metabolic status disorders directly correlated with the severity of the disease and did not depend on the age of the patients.