Acne Vulgaris Associated With Gastrointestinal Issues

New research published in JAAD International underscores the intricate relationship between the gut and skin, revealing that individuals with acne vulgaris are at a heightened risk for gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. The study, conducted using data from over 185,000 patients in Taiwan’s national health insurance research database, offers compelling insights into the potential connections within the gut-skin-brain axis.

The findings demonstrate a significantly increased likelihood of GI comorbidities in individuals with acne vulgaris, including peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and constipation. The association was particularly pronounced in adolescents and adults with moderate to severe acne, as well as those aged 12 years and older.

Adolescents, often most affected by acne vulgaris, exhibited the strongest correlations, reinforcing the hypothesis of a systemic interplay between gut health and skin conditions. Female patients showed a higher prevalence across all age groups, highlighting potential sex-based differences in susceptibility.

Researchers utilized conditional logistic regression analysis to account for confounding variables, though they noted limitations such as possible miscoding in the database. Nevertheless, the study advocates for increased collaboration between dermatologists and gastroenterologists when treating patients with severe or chronic acne.

“Patients with acne vulgaris have higher risks of gastrointestinal comorbidities. For patients with moderate to severe acne, gastroenterology specialty consultation may be warranted,” the study concludes.

Reference

Chen YW, Wu CY, Chen YJ. Gastrointestinal comorbidities in patients with acne vulgaris: a population-based retrospective study. JAAD Int. 2024;18:62-68. doi:10.1016/j.jdin.2024.08.022