Acne severity and the Global Acne Grading System in polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between acne, quantified by the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), and abnormal clinical and laboratory markers of androgen excess in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
The retrospective study included 133 patients with PCOS. Acne severity was quantified with the GAGS score, alopecia was graded with the Ludwig classification, and hirsutism was quantified with a modified Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) score.


RESULTS
The mean GAGS score was significantly greater in younger women, those with a lower BMI, and those with a higher FG score. There was no relation between the mean GAGS score and waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, androgen hormone levels (free testosterone, total testosterone, or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), sex-hormone-binding globulin level, or menstrual irregularity. Alopecia was significantly associated with an increased waist/hip ratio; there was no relation between alopecia and age, waist circumference, body mass index, FG score, androgen hormone levels, or menstrual irregularity. A weak positive correlation was observed between the GAGS and FG scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The GAGS may provide more precise and comprehensive information about acne severity in obese or hirsute patients with PCOS because this grading system includes evaluation of the type (comedones, papules, pustules, nodules) and location (anatomic area) of acne lesions.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey. Electronic address: servetozden@comu.edu.tr.
Servet
S
Hacivelioglu
Ayse Nur Cakir
AN
Gungor
Meryem
M
Gencer
Ahmet
A
Uysal
Deniz
D
Hizli
Evrim
E
Koc
Emine
E
Cosar
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000505:Alopecia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
D013739:Testosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
Acne vulgaris; Alopecia; Gynecology; Hirsutism; Hyperandrogenism; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Testosterone