Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Seborrheic dermatitis is a superficial, inflammatory, chronic and recurrent skin disease that manifests itself with yellowish, oily scales on erythematous ground. There are many factors in etiology. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the role of hormones in the etiology of marked and extreme seborrheic dermatitis in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Postmenopausal women with marked and extreme seborrheic dermatitis who applied to outpatient dermatology clinic of İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital were included to the study. Age, weight, body mass index, smoking status, blood total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone levels of patients were recorded. The data were compared with the age-appropriate control group.

RESULTS

Smoking and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate hormone levels were found significant effective in the formation of marked and extreme seborrheic dermatitis in the postmenopausal period (p = 0.014, p = 0.003 respectively). There weren’t any significant relationships between other parameters and marked/extreme seborrheic dermatitis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate hormone levels may be a guide in the management of patients in postmenopausal period with marked and extreme seborrheic dermatitis. In addition, smoking affects the prognosis of seborrheic dermatitis in this group of patients negatively.