Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2015) 37 EP121 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.37.EP121

1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases and Internal Diseases, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland; 2Department of Gynaecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.


Introduction: Acne is the most commonly diagnosed skin condition in teenage girls and young women. Acne results from androgen excess or hypersensitivity of the skin to normal androgen levels. Therefore, determination of androgen concentrations in patients with acne may facilitate early implementation of appropriate treatment. The aim of the study was to retrospectively analyse the profiles of androgen concentration in female patients with acne of various severity.

Material and methods: The study included 270 girls and young women (16–25 years of age) with acne. The participants were classified based on the severity of acne assessed according to the Leeds grading system: group I – mild acne (n=80), group II – moderate acne (n=90), group III – severe acne (n=20), and group C – controls (n=80). Concentrations of androgens: DHEAS, androstenedione, testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined in all the study participants, and the level of bioavailable testosterone (BAT) was calculated.

Results: Patients from the investigational groups I, II, and III presented with significantly higher concentrations of androgens: DHEAS (P<0.000), testosterone (P<0.000), androstenedione (P=0.007), and BAT (P<0.000) than the controls. Moreover, we found significant inverse correlations between the concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione (r=−0.420, P<0.000), SHBG and DHEAS (r=−0.391, P<0.000), SHBG and androstenedione (r=−0.272, P<0.009) in group II and III participants.

Conclusions: Determination of the hormonal profile of girls with acne is vital for the management of this condition and prevention of its recurrence. Juvenile acne is a clinical marker of hyperandrogenism and can be considered a transient manifestation of puberty in teenage girls.

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