Many studies demonstrate increased
androgen levels and high prevalence of polycystic ovaries in women affected by
acne. We evaluated the relationship between clinical features, ultrasonographic data on polycystic ovaries and hormonal parameters in 129 women >17 years of age with
acne. Serum levels of
androgens of ovarian and adrenal origin were measured. Menstrual cycle regularity,
hirsutism, body mass index and ultrasonographic evaluation of ovaries were recorded. Raised levels of at least one
androgen were evident in a majority of our patients. Only 19% of them had
polycystic ovary syndrome.
Hirsutism and
acne severity correlated negatively with serum
sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels (p<0.05). No correlation between
acne severity and
hirsutism was found. In post-pubertal women, severity of
acne seems to depend on peripheral
hyperandrogenism, with a negative relationship between the
acne severity and serum SHBG levels. We strongly recommend the evaluation of serum SHBG levels in women with
acne in order to select patients who can have a better response to appropriate hormonal regimes.