Predictive value of serum markers for postacne scarring

Summary 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.