Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41089626›Full record

ReviewMedical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran2025

Prevalence of Acne Vulgaris Among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Bita Pourahmad, Mostafa Majidnia, Nadia Saniee, Maryam Afraie, Sevda Riyahifar, Zeinab Darbandi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Bita PourahmadDepartment of Midwifery, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
Mostafa MajidniaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8271-954X
Nadia SanieeDepartment of Basic Sciences, Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran.
Maryam AfraieDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
Sevda RiyahifarDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Zeinab DarbandiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3195-4825

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological conditions worldwide, particularly affecting women of reproductive age. It is often linked to underlying hormonal imbalances, including those seen in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance, both of which contribute to acne vulgaris development. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global prevalence of acne vulgaris among women with PCOS and identify contributing factors, thereby highlighting the burden of this skin condition in the context of a common endocrine disorder. Methods: In accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines, a systematic review of cross-sectional studies was conducted to assess the prevalence of acne vulgaris among women with PCOS. The literature search included studies published up to January 2025 and was performed in 5 major databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Study selection was guided by the POLIS framework, focusing on women diagnosed with PCOS based on established criteria (Rotterdam, National Institute of Health [NIH], or Androgen Excess Society [AES]). Only cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of acne vulgaris in this population were included. A random-effects (REM) meta-analysis was performed using data from 95 eligible studies. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on geographical region, age, body mass index (BMI), PCOS diagnostic criteria, and acne vulgaris severity to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results: As per the findings, acne vulgaris, the pooled prevalence of which was 49% (95% CI: 47%-52%), determined 95 studies, with high heterogeneity (I² = 98.86%, Conclusion: The prevalence of acne vulgaris among women with PCOS varies widely across studies, with subgroup analyses revealing a range influenced by factors such as region, age group, and diagnostic criteria. These findings highlight the need for standardized diagnostic tools for PCOS and comprehensive management approaches that address hormonal, metabolic, and psychological aspects to improve outcomes for affected women.

Indexed as

Acne VulgarisEvidence SynthesisHyperandrogenismMeta-AnalysisPolycystic Ovary Syndrome

Identifiers

PMID41089626
PMCPMC12516454

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.