Serum Ghrelin Levels and Their Association With Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Among Patients With Moderate Acne Vulgaris: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, and serum ghrelin may have a potential role in its metabolic and inflammatory pathways.
Objective: To assess serum ghrelin levels among patients with moderate acne vulgaris and to evaluate their association with demographic and clinical characteristics.
Methods: This single-centre, hospital-based, analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, from June 2024 to April 2026. A total of 55 consenting patients with moderate acne vulgaris, graded using GAGS, were enrolled; demographic, anthropometric, and clinical acne-related data were recorded, and fasting morning serum ghrelin levels were estimated using a Human GHRL ELISA kit.
Results: The study included 55 acne cases with a mean age of 23.0 ± 3.7 years; most participants were aged 20–25 years (60.0%) and females were slightly predominant (52.7%). The mean BMI was 23.3 ± 2.9 kg/m², and 41.8% had acne for more than 12 months. Face with trunk involvement was observed in 70.9%, and the right cheek (100.0%), left cheek (98.2%), and forehead (94.5%) were commonly affected. Comedones and papules were present in all cases, while pustules occurred in 96.4%. The mean serum ghrelin level was 2758.0 ± 959.6 pg/mL. Ghrelin levels differed significantly by residence, being higher in urban participants (3186.8 ± 958.3 pg/mL; p=0.012), but not by other variables.
Conclusion: Serum ghrelin levels were not significantly associated with most demographic or clinical acne characteristics, although significantly higher levels were observed among urban participants.