Evaluation of the Association between Acne Vulgaris and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents at Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is an epidemic inflammatory disease of the human sebaceous follicle and represents the most common skin disease affecting about 85% of adolescents. Until recently, very little was known about the link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and skin diseases. Over the past several years, it has been reported that MetS is potentially associated with numerous dermatological conditions, of which acne vulgaris. Objective: To determine the relation between acne vulgaris and metabolic syndrome in adolescent males and females with different severities of acne vulgaris. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study on acne vulgaris patients, carried out in the outpatient clinic of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department, Faculty of Medicine of Zagazig University Hospitals in the period from October 2017 to August 2018. This study included 60 patients of acne vulgaris of both sexes aged 10-19 years old. Results: We found no statistically significant difference in age and sex between different patients with different disease severity. Also, no significant difference in fasting blood glucose, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, and blood pressure between different patients with different disease severity. There was a statistically significant difference in waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure only. There was no significant correlation between disease severity and metabolic syndrome criteria in the studied group. Conclusion: Face is the commonest site affected. No association was found between acne vulgaris and metabolic syndrome in our study. No significant difference between different patients with different disease severity and (laboratory data, blood pressure).