engleski

Hormonal correlates of acne and hirsutism

Clinical androgen traits, acne and hirsutism are important diagnostic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). As androgens are necessary for development of cutaneous signs of PCOS, patients with severe form of clinical hyperandrogenism are expected to present with higher levels of plasma androgens. This relationship has not been well established and studies that examined this association have produced inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the severity of clinical androgen traits, acne and hirsutism, with plasma levels of androgens in Croatian women with PCOS. Hundred and forty-five reproductive age women with isolated acne (N=61) or isolated hirsutism (N=84), oligo/amenorrhoea and polycystic morphology of the ovaries were enrolled. Acne grade, hirsutism grade, BMI and WHR were recorded. Hormonal profiles and were measured, and assessment of insulin resistance were performed on cycle day 2-5. We found no significant association of acne severity with BMI, WHR and examined hormonal and insulin resistance parameters. There was a significant correlation between SHBG and FT levels and severity of hirsutism (ρ=-0.611, p=<0.001, ρ=0.337, p=0.002). No significant association was found between the hirsutism grade and other hormonal and metabolic parameters examined. In conclusion, acne severity in the PCOS patients is not linearly associated with serum androgen levels therefore their level should not be used to determine the dose of antiandrogen therapy. Observed significant negative correlation between serum SHBG levels and the degree of hirsutism suggest that hormonal contraception that elevates SHBG mostly should be the therapy of choice in hirsute PCOS patient.

acne; hirsutism; polycystic ovary syndrome

nije evidentirano