Effects of hyperandrogenism and high body mass index on acne severity in women

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between hyperandrogenism and obesity with acne, and correlation between the severity of acne with the clinical and laboratory parameters of hyperandrogenism.

METHODS: One hundred and forty-one female with acne vulgaris and 73 healthy women were included in this study. The correlation of clinical and laboratory signs of hyperandrogenism and the severity of acne was examined.

RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obese individuals in the group with acne was determined significantly higher than the control group. There was a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) value and the severity of acne. The frequency of hirsutism, menstrual irregularity, androgenetic alopecia, seborrhea and polycystic ovary in the group with acne were found significantly higher than the control group. The average levels of free testosterone (fT), total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosteron sulfate, and prolactine in the groups with acne were found significantly higher compared with the control group. There was a positive correlation between the fT and TT levels and the severity of acne.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hyperandrogenism and obesity was increased in women with acne. According to the results of our study, it can be said that circulating androgen levels and BMI play a key role in the severity of acne.