RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Acne has been recognized as a common disorder amongst adolescents but recent studies have documented increased prevalence of post-adolescent acne. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate insulin resistance in post-adolescent acne by examining insulin, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and insulin like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) compared to those in normal controls. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with acne between 25 and 45 years and 10 control individuals were studied. We classified the post-adolescent acne into persistent and late-onset types according to onset ages. We compared clinical features and the levels of fasting insulin, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 in persistent and late-onset type of post-adolescent acne. RESULTS: Among the post-adolescent group, there were few patients of metabolic syndrome. But, the mean serum levels of IGF-1 were significantly increased in post-adolescent acne compared to those in controls. Mean serum levels of IGFBP-3 were decreased in post-adolescent acne. Compared to persistent type, late-onset type showed more inflammatory acne lesions. Increased fasting insulin, IGF-1, and decreased IGFBP-3 in late-onset type compared to those in persistent type were observed. CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicate that insulin resistance could have a role in pathogenesis of post-adolescent acne.