BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory disease caused by several factors, including skin inflammation and Propiobacterium acnes, which can activate the immune response to secrete proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1α, and IL-8.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the correlation between the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1α, and IL-8 and acne vulgaris severity.

METHODS

The study was performed by using cross-section observational in Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital Malang, Indonesia. The study subjects were collected by consecutive sampling from the Polyclinic Skin and Genital Health of Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital Malang. The severity of acne vulgaris was determined based on the combine acne severity classification (CASC) and the plasma level of TNF-α, IL1-α, and IL-8. The analysis was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The study included 78 patients (47.43% men and 52.54% women) with acne vulgaris.

RESULTS

The patients’ ages were between 13–35 years old; there was an insignificant difference between age and acne vulgaris severity (p=0.000). Moreover, there was an insignificant difference between gender and acne vulgaris severity (p=0.149). The insignificant difference also demonstrated between TNF-α (r= –0.088; p=0.925), IL-1α (r=0.158; p=0.168), or IL-8 (r=0.07; p=0.952) and acne vulgaris severity was observed.

CONCLUSION

It concluded that levels of TNF-α, IL1-α, and IL-8 are not significantly correlated with acne vulgaris severity.