title: Low dose prednisolone or oestrogen in the treatment of women with late onset or persistent acne vulgaris.
abstract: Women with persistent or late onset acne vulgaris were divided into two treatment groups. The first received continuous low dose prednisolone to suppress ACTH-dependent androgen secretion and the second was treated with cyclical oestrogens with medroxyprogesterone to elevate sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In both groups there was a significant improvement in the severity of the acne after 4 months' treatment. Although pre-existing hormonal abnormalities were corrected, the improvement in the acne did not correlate with the baseline hormone levels. However, suitable oestrogen-progesterone combinations or low dose prednisolone may be given, alone or in combination, to suppress free circulating androgens in these patients with a high probability of improving their acne.
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D011239:Prednisolone; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone