Analysis of hormonal status study results and its impact on individual psychological personality traits in acne patients (Acne vulgaris)

   Relevance. Acne is one of the most common diseases, affecting up to 85 % of people aged 12 to 25 years and 30–40 % of people over 25 years of age. Severe forms of the disease occur in 5–14 % of cases, which in more than 1/3 of cases requires serious, sometimes long-term treatment by a dermatologist. The psychological aspect of the phenomenon and its impact on daily functioning are still rarely mentioned. However, knowledge of the relationship between psychological status and dermatological disease is necessary for effective acne therapy.

   Aim. The purpose of this study is to determine the mutual influence of the influence of hormonal status on individual psychological characteristics of personality in male patients with acne.

   Materials and methods. The study involved 58 male patients aged 15–19 years with severe and moderate forms of acne (patient group). The control group consisted of 28 healthy men. The hormonal status of the participants was assessed by measuring serum levels of cortisol, estradiol, prolactin, dihydrotestosterone, free testosterone, T3, and T4. Analysis of the dynamics of changes in the psychological state of patients suffering from acne was carried out using the 16-factor Cattell questionnaire. Statistical processing of the research results was performed using Microsoft Excel application packages.

   Results. In the group of patients aged 16–19 years, changes in the hormonal system consisted of increased levels of DGTS, increased serum concentrations of cortisol, T3, when compared with a group of healthy individuals.

   Conclusion. The study revealed significant strong correlations between hormonal status indicators (estradiol, cortisol, STS and DGTS) in a group of patients with acne, a significant strong correlation was revealed between the indicators of hormones (cortisol, T3 and DGTS) and the psychological characteristics of the personality of patients – less pronounced tolerance and empathy, determination, openness , there is a decrease in mood.

1. Vetrova T.V., YAkovlev E.V., Leont’ev O.V., Gnevyshev E.N. Ispol’zovanie metoda prikladnoj relaksacii v korrekcii psihologicheskogo sostoyaniya lic, ispytyvayushchih vozdejstvie neblagopriyatnyh akusticheskih faktorov truda [Using the method of applied relaxation in correcting the psychological state of people exposed to adverse acoustic factors at work.]. Sovremennye mediko­psihologicheskie problemy adaptacii k ekstremal’nym usloviyam [Modern medical and psychological problems of adaptation to extreme conditions]. St. Petersburg. 2022. Р. 9–12. (In Russ.)

2. Goryachkina M.V. Rol’ psihoemocional’nyh faktorov v razvitii akne [The role of psycho-emotional factors in the development of acne]. Consilium medicum. 2008; (2): 9–11. (In Russ.)

3. Kubanova A.A. Sistemnoe lechenie tyazhelyh form akne: opyt ispol’zovaniya izotretinoina v Rossijskoj Federacii [Systemic treatment of severe forms of acne: experience of using isotretinoin in the Russian Federation]. Vestnik dermatologll i veneroljgii [Bulletin of dermatology and venereology]. 2013; (5): 102–113. (In Russ.)

4. Kungurov N.V. Opyt terapii bol’nyh srednetyazhelymi i tyazhelymi akne preparatom Aknekutan [Experience in treating patients with moderate and severe acne with the drug Aknekutan]. Vestnik dermatologii i veneroljgii [Bulletin of dermatology and venereology]. 2013; (1): 56–62. (In Russ.)

5. Raeva T.V. Psihicheskie rasstrojstva v dermatologicheskoj praktike [Mental disorders in dermatological practice] : abstract dissertation Dr. Med. Sci. Tomsk. 2006. 48 р. (In Russ.)

6. Samcov A.V. Akne i akneformnye dermatozy [Acne and acneiform dermatoses]. Moscow, 2009. Pp. 32–45. (In Russ.)

7. Amichai B. Low-dose isotretinoin in the treatment of acne vulgaris J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2006; 54(4): 644–646.

8. Cunliffe W.J., Danby F.W., Dunlap F. [et al.]. Randomised controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0,1 % and tretinoin cream 0,05 % in patients with acne vulgaris Eur. J. Dermatol. 2002; 12: 350–354.

9. Del Rosso J.Q. A review of the anti-inflammatory properties of clindamycin in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Cutis. 2010; 85(1): 15–24.

10. Dreno B. Assesing quality of life on patients with acne vulgaris: implications for treatment. Am. J. Clin. Dermatol. 2006; 7(2): 99–106.

11. Harms M. Isotretinoin: 10 years on. Dermatology. 1993; (186): 81–82.

12. Lehucher-Ceyrac D., Weber-Buisset M.J. Isotretinoin and acne in practice: a prospective analysis of 188 cases over 9 years. Dermatology. 1993; (186): 123–128.

13. Mallon E., Newton J.N., Klassen A. [et al.]. The quality of the life in acne: a comparison with general medical conditions using generic questionnaires. Br J Dermatol. 1999; 140(4): 672–676.

14. Rademaker M. Isotretinoin: dose, duration and relapse. What does 30 years of usаge tell us? Australas. J. Dermatol. 2013; 54(3): 157–162.