Association of Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 and Sex Hormones in Patients of Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

Objective: To study the relationship between serum levels of IGF-1, DHEAS, testosterone, and estradiol and
the development of acne vulgaris in adolescents and young adults.
Material and Methods: This case-control study involved 140 participants (70 cases, 70 controls) from King
Edward Medical University, analyzing patients with acne vulgaris aged 13-35. Serum levels of IGF-1,
DHEAS, testosterone, and estradiol were estimated using ELISA techniques. The research utilized kits from
renowned manufacturers and analyzed data with IBM SPSS software, setting significance at p-value ≤ 0.05.
Results: In the study of 140 participants, male and females were analyzed separately. Among 42 males (19
acne patients, 23 controls), and 98 females (51 acne patients, 47 controls) a significant association of acne
vulgaris was found between elevated serum IGF-1, DHEAS, testosterone, and low estradiol levels for all
male patients and for female patients < 20years of age. As for females > 20 years of age, acne vulgaris is linked to
other markers but no association with testosterone levels were found.
Conclusion: The study concluded that acne vulgaris is linked to high IGF-1, DHEAS and low estradiol levels
in both males and females of all age groups. While high testosterone levels are associated with acne vulgaris
in all males and in < 20years of age females. Diet and genetics may also influence acne development.
Keywords: Acne development, Adolescents, DHEAS, Estradiol, IGF-1, Testosterone.