Sebaceous hyperplasia: a pilot study to correlate this skin disease with circulating androgen levels.

BACKGROUND The sebaceous glands are susceptible to the effects of androgens. A benign proliferation of these hormones, i.e. hyperplasia, occurs with age. OBJECTIVES This was a pilot study to demonstrate whether any correlation exists between circulating androgen levels and an increase in the incidence of sebaceous hyperplasia. METHODS Sixteen female patients with a diagnosis of sebaceous hyperplasia were compared to a control group of females of a similar age without the disease. Blood tests were performed on participants of both groups to measure circulating androgen levels (free and total testosterone and androstenedione levels). Results were tabulated for statistical analysis. RESULTS These data showed no statistically significant differences in circulating androgen levels between the patients with sebaceous hyperplasia and the control group. CONCLUSION These data suggest that no significant changes occur in circulating androgen levels [free and total testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate] in patients with sebaceous hyperplasia.