PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF ACNE VULGARIS IN FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSESSED FOR PCOS RISK
Author(s)
Harshada S. Kale, PharmD1, Adarsh V. Kanekar, PharmD1, SHRADDHA D. PANSARE, PharmD1, Hani S. Gupta, PharmD1, Anjana Barola, PhD1, Hemant Deshpande, MBBS, MD2;
1Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, India, 2Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India
1Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, India, 2Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India
OBJECTIVES: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly experience acne vulgaris, a dermatological manifestation associated with androgen excess. Elevated androgen levels increase sebaceous gland activity, worsening acne. Although acne is a known sign of hyperandrogenism, its role as a standalone marker for PCOS risk in young women, particularly in community-based university populations, remains unclear. Objective is to assess the frequency, severity, and association of acne vulgaris with PCOS risk status among female university students.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 540 female university students aged ≥18 years. Acne vulgaris was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) and classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Participants were categorized based on predefined criteria of (FRG) Ferriman Gallwey Scale and irregular menstrual cycle into normal, high-risk PCOS, and diagnosed PCOS groups. Symptom-based screening and clinical evaluation were conducted. Differences in acne severity among groups were analyzed using Chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Acne vulgaris was prevalent across all groups. Mild acne was observed in 40.7% of normal participants, 38.8% of high-risk participants, and 35.3% of diagnosed PCOS participants. Moderate acne was the most common, affecting 55.9% of the normal group, 51.0% of the high-risk group, and 58.8% of the diagnosed PCOS group. Severe acne was least frequent overall but was more common in the high-risk group (10.2%) compared to the normal (3.4%) and diagnosed PCOS groups (5.9%). No statistically significant difference in acne severity was found among the groups (p = 0.217).
CONCLUSIONS: Acne vulgaris is common among university-aged women irrespective of PCOS risk status, with moderate severity predominating. Although severe acne was more frequent in high-risk individuals, acne severity alone did not significantly distinguish PCOS risk or diagnosis. Acne should be considered a supportive clinical feature rather than a standalone screening marker for PCOS.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 540 female university students aged ≥18 years. Acne vulgaris was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) and classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Participants were categorized based on predefined criteria of (FRG) Ferriman Gallwey Scale and irregular menstrual cycle into normal, high-risk PCOS, and diagnosed PCOS groups. Symptom-based screening and clinical evaluation were conducted. Differences in acne severity among groups were analyzed using Chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Acne vulgaris was prevalent across all groups. Mild acne was observed in 40.7% of normal participants, 38.8% of high-risk participants, and 35.3% of diagnosed PCOS participants. Moderate acne was the most common, affecting 55.9% of the normal group, 51.0% of the high-risk group, and 58.8% of the diagnosed PCOS group. Severe acne was least frequent overall but was more common in the high-risk group (10.2%) compared to the normal (3.4%) and diagnosed PCOS groups (5.9%). No statistically significant difference in acne severity was found among the groups (p = 0.217).
CONCLUSIONS: Acne vulgaris is common among university-aged women irrespective of PCOS risk status, with moderate severity predominating. Although severe acne was more frequent in high-risk individuals, acne severity alone did not significantly distinguish PCOS risk or diagnosis. Acne should be considered a supportive clinical feature rather than a standalone screening marker for PCOS.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EPH167
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
SDC: Reproductive & Sexual Health, SDC: Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)