A Cross Sectional Study of Acne Vulgaris with Special Reference to Serum Zinc Levels at KLE’S Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and MRC, Belgaum

Abstract

Background and objectives: Acne Vulgaris is a common and chronic dermatological disorder, mainly affecting the adolescents and young adults, involving the pilosebaceous follicles of the face and upper trunk. It is clinically characterized by polymorphic lesions such as comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and occasionally cysts. Scarring is the most dreaded complication of acne, for it scars both skin and the mind. The objectives of the study are to determine the association of serum zinc levels with acne vulgaris, to study the clinical features of acne vulgaris and to observe relationship between acne vulgaris and certain aetiological and predisposing factors like season, diet and heredity, etc. Materials and Methods: The present study is a one year cross sectional study from November 2008 to October 2009. Patient's demographic data, symptoms, location of lesions, risk factors, associated systemic disease were noted in a pre- tested and predesigned proforma after taking informed and written consent. Diagnosis was established by history and clinical examination. All the diagnosed cases of acne vulgaris were subjected to grading and serum zinc levels were estimated by immunoturbidometry method. Results: In the present study, the serum zinc levels were studied in 70 acne patients. Serum zinc levels were not significantly low in acne patients of different grades of the same age group. There was no significant difference in percentage distribution of patients in group A ( low zinc levels) and group B ( normal zinc levels) in different grades of acne ( p=0.9,not statistically significant ) .Therefore there was no association between serum zinc levels and severity of acne. Conclusion: There was no co-relation between the severity of acne and serum zinc levels.