Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease involving pilosebaceous follicles characterized by comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and sometimes scars.

Aim of the Work: The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum levels of osteoprotegerin in patients with acne vulgaris and assess its relation to the severity of the disease.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted in the outpatient Clinic of Dermatology and Andrology, Department of Benha University. The study included 80 participants; 60 patients suffering from acne vulgaris, in addition to 20 apparently healthy, age and sex matched individuals as a control group. Determination of serum level of osteoprotegerin was done by ELISA technique.

Results: The mean serum level of OPG in patients group (124.390±5.741) was significantly higher than that in the control group (47.394±29.332) as p<0.001. At a Cutoff point >48.4, Serum OPG had 95% Sensitivity and 70% Specificity and 88.9% accuracy to differentiate between Patients and Controls.

Conclusion: Osteoprotegerin may play a role in acne pathogenesis.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris. osteoprotegerin, case-control.

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Haider Sameer Abdullah