Acne Severity and the Global Acne Grading System in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

August 2013 in “ International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics ”

Servet Hacivelioglu, Ayse Nur Cakir Gungor, Meryem Gencer, Ahmet Uysal, Deniz Hizli, Evrim Koc, Emine Cosar

Global Acne Grading System GAGS polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS androgen excess hirsutism alopecia waist/hip ratio androgen hormone levels acne hair loss hormone imbalance

Studysummary This study found that GAGS scores for acne were higher in younger women with PCOS and a lower BMI, but showed no association with levels of androgen hormones.

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The study evaluated the relationship between acne severity, as measured by the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), and various clinical and laboratory markers of androgen excess in 133 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It found that higher GAGS scores were significantly associated with younger age, lower BMI, and higher hirsutism scores, but not with androgen hormone levels or other measured parameters. Alopecia was associated with an increased waist/hip ratio but not with acne severity or androgen levels. The study suggests that GAGS may be useful for assessing acne in obese or hirsute PCOS patients and highlights the need for further research to understand the clinical significance of acne lesions in PCOS.

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Research cited in this study

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Specific Dermatologic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Association with Biochemical Markers of Metabolic Syndrome and Hyperandrogenism

research Specific Dermatologic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Association with Biochemical Markers of Metabolic Syndrome and Hyperandrogenism

67 citations , February 2010 in “Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica”

In this study, hirsutism in women with PCOS was strongly associated with hyperandrogenism and metabolic abnormalities, while acne and androgenic alopecia were not effective markers for hyperandrogenism.

research Dermatologic Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

76 citations , January 2007 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This review discusses the dermatologic features of PCOS as potential early indicators of the syndrome and notes that treatment of these conditions may enhance quality of life and psychological well-being, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Relative Prevalence of Different Androgen Excess Disorders in 950 Women Referred Because of Clinical Hyperandrogenism

352 citations , January 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study reported that classic anovulatory PCOS was the most common androgen excess disorder, followed by mild ovulatory PCOS and idiopathic hyperandrogenism, among patients evaluated for clinical hyperandrogenism.

research Androgen Excess in Women: Experience with Over 1000 Consecutive Patients

947 citations , February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

In this study, polycystic ovary syndrome was the most prevalent cause of androgen excess, and suppressive hormonal therapy improved hirsutism, menstrual dysfunction, and acne in most patients, though side effects were common.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

4025 citations , December 2003 in “Human Reproduction”

This review discusses the evolution of diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome and emphasizes its association with various metabolic and cardiovascular risks, but it provides no new research findings.

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovaries in Women with Androgenic Alopecia

84 citations , November 2003 in “European journal of endocrinology”

This study found that women with androgenic alopecia had a higher prevalence of polycystic ovarian morphology and higher androgen levels compared to controls, suggesting a strong association with PCO.

research Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

35 citations , June 1997 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences”

Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care are crucial for managing PCOS in adolescents.

research Low Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin Levels in Young Women with Diffuse Hair Loss

40 citations , March 1982 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that women experiencing diffuse hair loss had significantly lower levels of plasma sex-hormone binding globulin compared to controls, while their testosterone levels remained normal.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.