Evidence mapPaperPMID 41669596Full record

ArticleCureus2026

The Impact of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonists on Acne, Hidradenitis, and Sebaceous Activity.

Azra Jabin, Shahab Khan, Hammad Khan, Zain Ullah Durrani, Khizer Hamza, Faiza Gul, Sana Atta Ullah, Fahad Dayam, Muhammad Yaseen, Saleem Shah

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. 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. Review
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

10 authors.

Azra JabinInternal Medicine, Medical Teaching Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
Shahab KhanAcute Medicine, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, GBR.
Hammad KhanInternal Medicine, Naas General Hospital, Naas, IRL.
Zain Ullah DurraniNephrology, Balochistan Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Quetta, PAK.
Khizer HamzaPathology, Gajju Khan Medical College Bacha Khan Medical Complex MTI, Swabi, PAK.
Faiza GulInternal Medicine, Khalifa Gul Nawaz Medical And Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
Sana Atta UllahInternal Medicine, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, PAK.
Fahad DayamInternal Medicine, Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar, PAK.
Muhammad YaseenInternal Medicine, Medical Teaching Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, PAK.
Saleem ShahGeneral Medicine, Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, PAK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and objective Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), especially semaglutide, are commonly used to treat obesity and diabetes. They may influence sebaceous gland activity, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and acne via metabolic and anti-inflammatory pathways. This study aimed to assess the effects of semaglutide on acne severity, HS activity, and sebaceous gland function, and to evaluate associations with metabolic improvements. Materials and methods This prospective, observational, single-arm study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from January 2023 to December 2024. Adults with acne, HS, or increased sebaceous gland activity who initiated semaglutide therapy between the ages of 18 and 65 years were included. Sebumetry, HS severity using the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Area and Severity Index - Revised (HASI-R), and acne grading using the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) were evaluated at baseline and at three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months. Concurrent measurements of metabolic markers, including BMI, HbA1c, fasting glucose, and insulin, were also obtained. Statistical analyses included Pearson and Spearman correlations, multivariate regression to adjust for confounders, and paired t-tests for pre- and post-treatment comparisons. P-values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Of the 120 enrolled participants, 110 completed the follow-up (91.7%). Over 24 months, acne severity decreased from 1.92 ± 0.78 to 1.21 ± 0.63, HS activity declined from 11.34 ± 4.56 to 7.45 ± 3.21, and sebaceous gland activity was reduced from 186.45 ± 52.34 to 138.56 ± 42.78 µg/cm². Improvements in BMI, HbA1c, fasting glucose, and insulin were significantly associated with dermatologic improvement (p < 0.05). Adverse events were mild and transient and occurred in 17 participants (15.45%). Conclusions Semaglutide therapy was significantly associated with improvement in acne, HS activity, and sebaceous gland function, independently correlated with metabolic enhancements. These findings indicate a potential dermatologic benefit of GLP-1 agonists, supporting the need for further controlled studies.

Indexed as

acnedermatologyglp-1 receptor agonistshidradenitis suppurativametabolic improvementsebaceous gland activitysemaglutide

Identifiers

PMID41669596
PMCPMC12884193

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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.