A CLINICAL STUDY OF ACNE IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The etiology of acne remains obscure in spite of the investigative opportunity afforded by the high incidence of this disease. It has been studied from the point of view of specific infection, focal infection, allergy and disturbed metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and halogens, but none of these factors have been accepted as a specific etiologic agent. Recent interest has been directed toward a relation with the endocrine system, suggested by the onset of acne at puberty and its usual disappearance with sexual maturation, the frequent exacerbation with the menses and its reported absence in eunuchs.

A number of observers have demonstrated abnormal amounts of estrogenic or androgenic principles in the blood or urine of patients with acne. Although these studies suggest a relationship between acne and the endocrine system, the individual variations are considerable and there must be some doubt as to the significance of averages among groups of patients