Determination of serum levels of zinc in acne vulgaris patients: a case control study

Background: Acne vulgaris is a dermatologic disorder with a wide variety of distribution and presentation. Its high prevalence and important cosmetic and psychological concerns focusing on contributing factors would be of great value for better approach and prevention of acne vulgaris. There are many articles that argue the role of some dietary and inflammatory factors in acnevulgaris. In this study, the serum levels of zinc in acne patients were determined and compared with healthy subjects. Methods: In this age and gender matched case-control study, 200 consecutive subjects with and without acne (moderate-very severe) referring to Rasoul Akram Hospital, 2016, were enrolled,and their serum zinc levels were determined and compared across the groups. Results: Serum zinc levels were alike across the groups (P > 0.05), and the severity of acne was not related to zinc level. The levels of zinc were significantly different between genders in the casegroup (men had lower levels). In female patients with acne, the level of zinc was inversely correlated with acne severity. Conclusion: Zinc is not related to acne incidence or its grade, but men with acne have lower levels of zinc compared with women. Also, acne severity in women is inversely correlated with zinc level. It can be assumed that zinc supplementation may be a good trend in men with acne or alleviate the severity of acne in women, which needs more evaluation and work up.