Features of changes in hormonal homeostasis among patients with acne

Objective. To evaluate the nature of changes in hormonal homeostasis among patients with acne, depending on menstrual function disorders. Acne is a common skin disease characterized by the development of an inflammatory process in the sebaceous glands; at the age of 12–24, it is equally observed in boys and girls, and at an older age, it mainly affects women. Acne has a complex pathogenesis, in which hereditary, metabolic, immune and endocrine mechanisms are realized. It is often found in women with a violation of menstrual function. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nature of changes in hormonal homeostasis among patients with acne, depending on menstrual function disorders.

Materials and methods. The study involved 65 patients with acne, who were divided into two groups: group I was formed by 40 patients with acne having menstrual disorders; group II included 35 patients with acne without menstrual function disorders. The groups were comparable by social status and age; all were residents of the Perm Region, all gave voluntary written consent to participate in the study. The study included general clinical techniques, dermatological status and laboratory methods including biochemical blood analysis with indicators of lipid spectrum, glucose, total protein, zinc, liver enzymes, pituitary hormones (FSH, LH, TSH, prolactin) and sex hormones. Methods of parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the data obtained.

Results. In patients with acne, minor metabolic changes were detected, equally with and without menstrual cycle disorders. In the study of hormonal homeostasis, it was noted that in acne patients with menstrual cycle disorders, hyperprogesteronemia was determined much more often (80.0 ± 6.3 %). The remaining sex hormones and pituitary hormones had insignificant changes in both the groups studied.

Conclusions. Acne, accompanied by a disturbance of menstrual function, is characterized by change in hormonal homeostasis in the form of an increased level of blood progesterone. In acne patients with a normal menstrual cycle, hormonal changes are insignificant. The metabolic disorders observed in acne do not depend on the character of the menstrual cycle. Patients with acne having menstrual dysfunction require joint management and treatment by both dermatovenerologist and gynecologist. In other cases, dermatological tactics is the basic one.