title: The frequency of polycystic ovary syndrome in females with resistant acne vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne vulgaris in females may be resistant to treatment in spite of topical and systemic therapy for a sufficient period. In this condition, acne may be a manifestation of underlying endocrine conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of PCOS in females with resistant acne vulgaris. Patients and methods This case-controlled study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in The Teaching Hospital in Al-Najaf during the period from October 2007 to November 2008. One hundred and twenty-three female patients with resistant acne vulgaris were included in this study. One hundred and twenty-three women, age-matched, without acne were enrolled as a control group. Detailed history, clinical examination, abdominal ultrasound study, and hormonal assays were obtained for the patients and the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twenty-three females with resistant acne were included; their ages ranged from 17 to 40 years with a mean of 25.016 +/- 6.041 (SD). One hundred and twenty-three control women without acne were enrolled; their ages ranged from 17-40 years with a mean of 26.014 +/- 6.251 (SD). The patients and the control group are age-matched (P = 0.192). It was found that 63 patients (51.2%) with resistant acne have PCOS in comparison to only eight control women (6.2%). The difference is highly significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polycystic ovary syndrome is an important contributing factor in females with resistant acne vulgaris.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq. azarmaluki@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Azar Hadi
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Maluki
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index