Heredity:: A prognostic factor for acne

Background: The role of heredity in acne severity and therapeutic response remains unclear. Objective: A prospective epidemiologic study was performed to compare clinical and evolutive features of acne and response to treatment in 151 patients with acne with (A+) or without (A-) family history of acne. Methods: A+ and A- patients were compared on clinical and therapeutic criteria. A+ patients were then distributed into subgroups (M+, F+, M+ F+) following the origin of family history (father: F, mother: M). Results: The clinical profile was similar in the A+ and A- populations. Acne occurred earlier and more often before puberty in the A+ population, in which oral treatments and relapse after isotretinoin were more frequent. Retentional lesions (number and extent) were more important in the M+ and M+ F+ populations. Conclusion: This study confirms the importance of heredity as a prognostic factor for acne. Family history of acne is associated with earlier occurrence of acne, increased number of retentional lesions and therapeutic difficulties.