THE EFFECT OF BODY MASS INDEX, AND VITAMIN D LEVEL ON ACNE IN FEMALE PATIENTS IN MISURATA CITY

Abstract

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit, it is
considered as one of the most common skin diseases worldwide, especially among
adolescent population. The pathogenesis of acne is largely multifactorial and is still not
fully understood. In contrast to our knowledge of the genetic and hormonal role in the
pathogenesis of acne, there is uncertainty regarding other factors, including diet, body
mass index and vitamin D. Studies of the role of these factors in the pathogenesis of
acne have shown conflicting and inconclusive results. This study aimed to know the
effect of body mass index, and vitamin D level on acne vulgaris, and their association
with acne severity through a representative sample of female acne patients in Misrata
city. A prospective study, a total of 129 acne vulgaris female patients and 47 matched
healthy subjects as controls have been enrolled in this study. To collect data a self-made
questionnaire was designed. The collected data was statistically analyzed using
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. According to this study,
vitamin D level influences the presence of acne (p-value= 0.001) however it does not
affect its severity (p-value= 0.348). No correlation was found between acne and the
body mass index (p-value was 0.701). This study found that a deficient vitamin D level
affect acne vulgaris in female patients, and may play a potential role in pathogenesis of
acne vulgaris but no correlation between acne and the body mass index.