Serum Fetuin-A: A Novel Potential Link Between Post-adolescent Acne and Insulin Resistance.

Background: Post-adolescent acne is acne in patients aged older than 25 years. It is more common in women, suggesting an underlying hormonal imbalance. It has been postulated that insulin resistance (IR) may play a role in pathogenesis.

Objective: To explore the relationship between fetuin-A, IR, and post-adolescent acne.

Methods: Serum fetuin-A levels were assessed using an ELISA technique in 50 female patients with post-adolescent acne and 50 healthy controls, and IR was calculated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR).

Results: Studied patients had significantly higher HOMA-IR indices and serum fetuin-A levels than control subjects (=0.001 and <0.001, respectively) and they were significantly increased in patients with severe lesions (<0.001).

Conclusion: We found that IR was more significantly prevalent among studied patients, especially those with more severe acne grades, and that could be attributed to higher serum fetuin-A levels. Fetuin -A might be a predictor for acne severity and associated metabolic comorbid conditions, such as IR. However, further large-scale studies will be needed.