April 24, 2018
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
A total of 139 identical and fraternal twin pairs were surveyed at the Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, the largest annual gathering of multiples, to identify genetic and environmental factors that may affect acne severity.
The percentage of twin pairs concordant for acne was significantly higher in identical twins (64%) as compared with fraternal twins (49%). In identical twins, polycystic ovarian syndrome, anxiety, asthma, higher BMI, and less exercise were associated with acne. Twins with more severe acne reported aggravation of acne with sun exposure, cosmetic product use, and consumption of refined carbohydrates.
– Anna Wile, MD
Abstract
IMPORTANCE
Surveying identical twins allows us to qualitatively separate genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to acne severity.
OBJECTIVE
To study a cohort of identical and fraternal twins to identify environmental factors that may influence acne severity.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS
A survey was administered to 139 identical and fraternal twin multiples (279 subjects) at the Annual Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio on August 6-7, 2016. One set of triplets was included.
MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S)
Acne incidence, severity, and triggers were analyzed using the N-1 Chi-squared test and paired, 2-tailed t test.
RESULTS
The proportion of concordant pairs was significantly higher in identical (64%) vs fraternal (49%) twins (P=0.04). Acne was found to be associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS; P=0.045), anxiety (P =0.014), and asthma (P=0.026). Identical twin pairs with acne had a higher BMI (P= 0.020) and exercised significantly less (P=0.001) than those without acne. Analyzing concordant twin pairs, the twin with more severe acne was more likely to report aggravation of acne with cosmetic product use (P=0.002) and sugar intake (P=0.048).
CONCLUSIONS AND REVELANCE
This twin study further supports that there may be a genetic phenotypic link, though social and environmental factors may also have an influence in the disease process.
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