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A survey conducted at the world’s largest twin celebration provides more evidence that twins share a genetic propensity toward acne, and provides information about several aggravating factors.
The 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,” the authors wrote.
Previous twin research has linked genetic factors to 80% of acne variance, with environmental factors, such as stress and low intake of produce, believed to account for the rest of the risk (J Invest Dermat. 2002;119[6]:1317-22). For the new study, researchers surveyed twins at the 2016 Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. Thousand of twins – and triplets and quadruplets – from around the world attend the annual event.
After incomplete surveys were discarded, the survey population included 202 identical twins (101 pairs) and 53 fraternal twins or triplets. (A set of triplets was included in addition to 25 pairs of twins.) The majority of participants were female: 23% of identical twins and 17% of the fraternal twins and triplets were male. The mean age was 29 years among the identical twins and 21 years among fraternal twins.
that suggest “acne is largely attributable to genetics,” the authors observed. Among identical twins, those with acne were more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome (P = .045), anxiety (P = .014), and asthma (P = .026).
“Identical twin pairs with acne had a higher BMI [body mass index] and exercised less than those without,” the researchers added. These two associations were statistically significant, both for higher BMI (P = .020) and for less exercise (P = .001). “This suggests that a higher BMI and lack of exercise may contribute [along with genetics of course] to acne development. Thus, regular exercise and lower BMI may keep acne at bay,” they noted.
They also analyzed 56 pairs of identical twins with acne, who reported different severities, and found that the twin with more severe acne was more likely to report that sun exposure (P = .048), cosmetic product use (P = .002), and sugar intake (P = .048) aggravated their acne. Refined carbohydrates, as an aggravating factor, approached statistical significance, they said.
A separate analysis of 45 pairs of female identical twins with different degrees of acne severity produced similar findings. There were no significant difference between acne severity groups in terms of menstruation flare frequency or with oral contraceptive use. The twin with more severe acne, however, “was more likely to report aggravation of acne with sun exposure,” cosmetic use, and sugar intake, all associations which reached statistical significance. They were also more likely to report that refined carbohydrates and intake of fried foods aggravated their acne, associations that approached statistical significance.
“This twin study provides further support for reducing intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates to decrease acne severity in susceptible individuals,” the authors wrote. “For females, reducing intake of fried foods may also help,” they added.
There’s a twist to their results: The finding that those with more severe acne reported worsening symptoms with sun exposure “conflicts with prior research, which has found that acne improves with sun,” the authors wrote, adding that “perhaps the data was confounded by comedogenic sunscreen use.”
No specific study funding was reported. The study authors reported no disclosures.
SOURCE: Suggs A et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018 Apr;17(4):380-2.
A survey conducted at the world’s largest twin celebration provides more evidence that twins share a genetic propensity toward acne, and provides information about several aggravating factors.
The 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,” the authors wrote.
Previous twin research has linked genetic factors to 80% of acne variance, with environmental factors, such as stress and low intake of produce, believed to account for the rest of the risk (J Invest Dermat. 2002;119[6]:1317-22). For the new study, researchers surveyed twins at the 2016 Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. Thousand of twins – and triplets and quadruplets – from around the world attend the annual event.
After incomplete surveys were discarded, the survey population included 202 identical twins (101 pairs) and 53 fraternal twins or triplets. (A set of triplets was included in addition to 25 pairs of twins.) The majority of participants were female: 23% of identical twins and 17% of the fraternal twins and triplets were male. The mean age was 29 years among the identical twins and 21 years among fraternal twins.
that suggest “acne is largely attributable to genetics,” the authors observed. Among identical twins, those with acne were more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome (P = .045), anxiety (P = .014), and asthma (P = .026).
“Identical twin pairs with acne had a higher BMI [body mass index] and exercised less than those without,” the researchers added. These two associations were statistically significant, both for higher BMI (P = .020) and for less exercise (P = .001). “This suggests that a higher BMI and lack of exercise may contribute [along with genetics of course] to acne development. Thus, regular exercise and lower BMI may keep acne at bay,” they noted.
They also analyzed 56 pairs of identical twins with acne, who reported different severities, and found that the twin with more severe acne was more likely to report that sun exposure (P = .048), cosmetic product use (P = .002), and sugar intake (P = .048) aggravated their acne. Refined carbohydrates, as an aggravating factor, approached statistical significance, they said.
A separate analysis of 45 pairs of female identical twins with different degrees of acne severity produced similar findings. There were no significant difference between acne severity groups in terms of menstruation flare frequency or with oral contraceptive use. The twin with more severe acne, however, “was more likely to report aggravation of acne with sun exposure,” cosmetic use, and sugar intake, all associations which reached statistical significance. They were also more likely to report that refined carbohydrates and intake of fried foods aggravated their acne, associations that approached statistical significance.
“This twin study provides further support for reducing intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates to decrease acne severity in susceptible individuals,” the authors wrote. “For females, reducing intake of fried foods may also help,” they added.
There’s a twist to their results: The finding that those with more severe acne reported worsening symptoms with sun exposure “conflicts with prior research, which has found that acne improves with sun,” the authors wrote, adding that “perhaps the data was confounded by comedogenic sunscreen use.”
No specific study funding was reported. The study authors reported no disclosures.
SOURCE: Suggs A et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018 Apr;17(4):380-2.
A survey conducted at the world’s largest twin celebration provides more evidence that twins share a genetic propensity toward acne, and provides information about several aggravating factors.
The 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,” the authors wrote.
Previous twin research has linked genetic factors to 80% of acne variance, with environmental factors, such as stress and low intake of produce, believed to account for the rest of the risk (J Invest Dermat. 2002;119[6]:1317-22). For the new study, researchers surveyed twins at the 2016 Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. Thousand of twins – and triplets and quadruplets – from around the world attend the annual event.
After incomplete surveys were discarded, the survey population included 202 identical twins (101 pairs) and 53 fraternal twins or triplets. (A set of triplets was included in addition to 25 pairs of twins.) The majority of participants were female: 23% of identical twins and 17% of the fraternal twins and triplets were male. The mean age was 29 years among the identical twins and 21 years among fraternal twins.
that suggest “acne is largely attributable to genetics,” the authors observed. Among identical twins, those with acne were more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome (P = .045), anxiety (P = .014), and asthma (P = .026).
“Identical twin pairs with acne had a higher BMI [body mass index] and exercised less than those without,” the researchers added. These two associations were statistically significant, both for higher BMI (P = .020) and for less exercise (P = .001). “This suggests that a higher BMI and lack of exercise may contribute [along with genetics of course] to acne development. Thus, regular exercise and lower BMI may keep acne at bay,” they noted.
They also analyzed 56 pairs of identical twins with acne, who reported different severities, and found that the twin with more severe acne was more likely to report that sun exposure (P = .048), cosmetic product use (P = .002), and sugar intake (P = .048) aggravated their acne. Refined carbohydrates, as an aggravating factor, approached statistical significance, they said.
A separate analysis of 45 pairs of female identical twins with different degrees of acne severity produced similar findings. There were no significant difference between acne severity groups in terms of menstruation flare frequency or with oral contraceptive use. The twin with more severe acne, however, “was more likely to report aggravation of acne with sun exposure,” cosmetic use, and sugar intake, all associations which reached statistical significance. They were also more likely to report that refined carbohydrates and intake of fried foods aggravated their acne, associations that approached statistical significance.
“This twin study provides further support for reducing intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates to decrease acne severity in susceptible individuals,” the authors wrote. “For females, reducing intake of fried foods may also help,” they added.
There’s a twist to their results: The finding that those with more severe acne reported worsening symptoms with sun exposure “conflicts with prior research, which has found that acne improves with sun,” the authors wrote, adding that “perhaps the data was confounded by comedogenic sunscreen use.”
No specific study funding was reported. The study authors reported no disclosures.
SOURCE: Suggs A et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018 Apr;17(4):380-2.
FROM THE JOURNAL OF DRUGS IN DERMATOLOGY
Key clinical point: Moderating environmental factors, such as sugar intake and refined carbohydrates, may help reduce the severity of acne.
Major finding: Sun exposure (P = .048), cosmetic product use (P = .002), and sugar intake (P = .048) were among the factors identified that aggravated acne.
Study details: A survey of 202 identical twins (101 pairs) and 53 fraternal twins or triplets conducted at the annual Twins Day Festival in 2016.
Disclosures: No specific study funding was reported. The study authors reported no disclosures.
Source: Suggs A et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018 Apr;17(4):380-2.