SERUM ZINC CONCENTRATIONS IN ACNE VULGARIS PATIENTS AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH CLINICAL FEATURES

Abstract

Objectives: To assess serum zinc concentrations in acne vulgaris patients and their correlation with clinical features.

Materials and methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, controlled study was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris at the National Hospital of Dermatology and 30 healthy controls (control group) at the 108 Military Central Hospital from August 2022 to April 2023. Patients underwent medical history assessments, clinical examinations to evaluate characteristics and disease severity, and serum zinc concentration measurements using atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Result: The mean age of the experimental group was 18.83 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:3. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, and disease severity between the control group and the experimental group. The mean serum zinc concentration in the experimental group (0.71±0.14 mg/l) was lower than that in the control group (0.88 ± 0.15 mg/l), and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Serum zinc concentration was not associated with age, sex, or disease duration (p > 0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between serum zinc concentration and disease severity, with average zinc concentrations of 0.77, 0.73, and 0.63 mg/l for mild, moderate, and severe disease, respectively; this difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). Patients between the ages of 25 and 29 had the highest average serum zinc content (0.77 ± 0.14 mg/l), while patients under the age of 15 had the lowest (0.67 ± 0.09 mg/l). The serum zinc concentration for men was 0.74 ± 0.19 mg/l, which was higher than that for women (0.69 ± 0.10 mg/l). In terms of disease duration, the serum zinc concentration was 0.74 ± 0.16 mg/l for the group with disease duration <1 year, 0.70 ± 0.18 mg/l for the group with disease duration >1-2 years, and 0.69 ± 0.11 mg/l for the group with disease duration >2 years. However, there was no statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) between serum zinc concentration and age groups, sex, or disease duration.

Conclusions: The mean serum zinc concentration in acne vulgaris patients is lower compared to that in healthy controls, and the degree of reduction in serum zinc concentration is associated with disease severity.