Predictive value of serum markers for postacne scarring.

BACKGROUND: Postacne scarring is the main concern of many acne patients. Predicting the liability to scarring can alter the management protocols and help in preventing such disfigurement.

METHODS: Sixty patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris (according to Global Acne Grading system) were included, only 35 of them had postacne scars. A quantitative latex agglutination commercial kit was used to assess serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration by turbidimetry, while serum hepcidin concentration was assessed by a commercially available double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

RESULTS: Patients with postacne scarring had significantly lower serum levels of hepcidin (P-value < .001) and significantly higher serum levels of CRP (P-value < .05).

CONCLUSION: Serum levels of hepcidin and CRP are promising markers, which may be considered as objective tools to predict the possibility of postacne scarring.