Do patients with acne tend to have increased body fat? Comparison of body composition analysis of patients with acne vulgaris and healthy individuals: a prospective case control study.

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease which has been associated with metabolic syndrome and obesity. However, data on body composition in patients with acne vulgaris are scarce.

AIM: We aimed to assess body composition in patients with acne vulgaris, compare the results with those of healthy individuals, and evaluate the relationship between body composition and acne severity.

METHODS

Between March 2023 and May 2023, body composition of patients with acne vulgaris and healthy individuals was prospectively evaluated using Tanita TBF-300 body composition analyzer.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 320 subjects, 160 patients with acne vulgaris and 160 healthy individuals. Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and fat mass were significantly higher in patients with acne vulgaris compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001, each). BMI, body fat percentage and fat mass were significantly higher in female patients compared to healthy females (p < 0.001, each), higher in male patients compared to healthy males (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). BMI (p = 0.006), fat free body mass (p < 0.001) and total body water (p < 0.001) were higher in male patients, while body fat percentage (p < 0.001) was higher in female patients. Patients with moderate to severe acne had higher BMI (p < 0.001), body fat percentage (p = 0.001) and fat mass (p < 0.001) than in those with mild acne.

CONCLUSION

Since high body fat may indicate increased risk and severity of acne, body composition analysis may be useful in treating patients with acne and taking preventive measures against metabolic syndrome in this population.