Assessment of Serum Level of Elafin in Patients with Acne Vulgaris Treated with Isotretinoin

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the pilosebaceous follicle. Acne vulgaris is a prevalent disease that affects about 85% of adolescents. Acne vulgaris develops due to complex and different etiologies. Objectives: This study aimed to compare serum elafin levels of moderate and severe AV patients versus healthy controls and to assess their levels before and after treatment with systemic isotretinoin. Methods: This case-control study involved 30 patients who were clinically diagnosed with moderate and severe AV, treated with isotretinoin, and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as controls. Patients were subjected to full general and cutaneous assessments. Estimation of serum levels of elafin was performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique in controls and patients before and after isotretinoin treatment. Results: There were statistically significantly higher serum elafin levels in controls than in patients (P = 0.001). Of patients with AV, there was a statistically significant reduction of serum elafin levels after isotretinoin therapy (P < 0.05). Serum elafin had an excellent predictive power for AV. Conclusions: In AV patients, assessment of serum elafin represents a useful tool for monitoring disease activity, severity, and evaluating the response to isotretinoin therapy.