NAJAF, Iraq—Polycystic ovary syndrome, which are common in obese and diabetic women, is an important contributing factor in females with resistant acne vulgaris, according to a study published in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2010;9(2):142-48). Acne vulgaris in females may be resistant to treatment in spite of topical and systemic therapy for a sufficient period. In this condition, acne may be a manifestation of underlying endocrine conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The case-controlled study was conducted from October 2007 to November 2008 in 23 female patients with resistant acne vulgaris, aged 17 to 40 years; 123 female patients, age-matched, without acne were enrolled as a control group. Researchers found 63 patients (51.2 percent) with resistant acne have PCOS in comparison to only eight control women (6.2 percent). The difference is highly significant.