Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder, which may be sometimes the only early clinical manifestation of hyperandrogenemia. Main role in its pathogenesis play: genetical predisposition as well as hormonal and environmental disturbances, which may begin in puberty. It has been widely discussed at what age and what kind of diagnostics should be performed in this area.

Aim of the study: Was to evaluate concentrations of selected hormones and their impact on skin changes in girls and young women with hyperandrogenism.

Material and methods: 250 girls and young women, aged 16–36 years, were evaluated. We assessed body height, weight, BMI, concentrations of hormones: TSH, fT3, fT4, FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), androstenedione, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), 17-hydroxyprogesterone. Furthermore, we analyzed glucose and insulin concentrations, both fasting and in oral glucose tolerance test. Statistical analysis was made with Statistica 9.0pl.

Results: Subjects presented significantly higher concentrations of androgens: testosterone (P<0.000), DHEA-S (P<0.000), androstenedione (P=0.007) and high Free Androgen Index (P=0.016) comparing to the control group. There was a significant negative correlation (r=−0.420; P<0.000) between concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA-S and concentration of SHBG (r=−0.391; P<0.000).

Conclusions: Acne is a significant clinical marker of hyperandrogenism and cannot be considered as a temporary sign of puberty in female teenagers.