The frequency of polycystic ovary syndrome in females with resistant acne vulgaris.
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.
Maluki
Azar Hadi
AH
Department of Dermatology, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq. azarmaluki@yahoo.com
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