Use of oral melatonin in female patients with acne and associated sleep quality disturbances
- Authors: Perlamutrov Y.N.1, Yakovleva E.N.1
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Affiliations:
- Russian University of Medicine
- Pages: 341-350
- Section: DERMATOLOGY
- Submitted: 28.03.2025
- Accepted: 02.06.2025
- Published: 27.07.2025
- URL: https://rjsvd.com/1560-9588/article/view/677825
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/dv677825
- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/JFYNYW
- ID: 677825
Cite item
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances frequently accompany chronic dermatologic conditions and negatively impact patients' quality of life and emotional well-being, often exacerbating disease severity. Statistically, women are more frequently affected, with sleep quality disruptions linked to hormonal fluctuations across various life stages.
AIM: To evaluate the effect of oral melatonin intake on acne severity and quality of life in women.
METHODS: This prospective single-center study was conducted from 2023 to 2024 and included 130 women (mean age, 23.32 ± 2.75 years) diagnosed with mild to moderate acne. Acne severity was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS); sleep disturbances were evaluated via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used for psychosocial assessment. Laboratory monitoring included hormone profiling (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, free testosterone) and metabolic parameters (insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin, and blood glucose) with HOMA-IR calculation.
RESULTS: Signs of dyssomnia were identified in 65.38% of patients (n = 85), with severity significantly correlating with acne grade (ρ = 0.565; p < 0.001). Patients with sleep disturbances experienced significantly lower quality of life (p < 0.001), elevated free testosterone levels (p < 0.001), and increased IGF-1 (p = 0.008). Combination therapy, including topical agents and oral melatonin administered 30 minutes before bedtime, resulted in faster regression of acne lesions, and improved psychosocial and sleep quality scores.
CONCLUSION: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among women with mild to moderate acne. Timely identification and correction of dyssomnia improves treatment outcomes and enhances quality of life.
Full Text

About the authors
Yuri N. Perlamutrov
Russian University of Medicine
Email: mgmsu-skin@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4837-8489
SPIN-code: 2330-2758
MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor
Russian Federation, MoscowEvgeniya N. Yakovleva
Russian University of Medicine
Author for correspondence.
Email: en_yakovleva@list.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-0019-3778
SPIN-code: 5158-6775
Russian Federation, 103 Prospekt Mira, Moscow, 129085
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