Abstract
Although many arguments have been put forth supporting the role of androgens in the aetiology of acne, their part in determining the severity of the disease is not well established. Objectives The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between acne severity and the clinical and laboratory markers of androgenicity in a large group of patients.
Methods Ninety women over 17 years of age with acne were enrolled into the study. The levels of testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured.
Menstrual cycle regularity, hirsutism score, acne severity and ultrasound evaluation of polycystic ovaries were recorded. One-way analysis of variance, chi(2)-test and correlation analysis were used for data processing