A cross-sectional study on quality of life among acne vulgaris patients

Abstract

Background: In India, prevalence data from dermatology clinic in a teaching hospital in Varanasi reported acne in 50.6% of boys and 38.13% of girls in the age group 12-17 years. Though it is considered to be merely a cosmetic problem, it is associated with considerable psychological impairment which is comparable with certain chronic diseases. Acne patients are prone to low self-esteem, low self-confidence and social dysfunction which may lead to anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsiveness and sometimes suicidal ideation. Acne affects the functional abilities of individuals and patients have higher rate of unemployment when compared to those without acne. Acne also may have negative impact on personal relationships, sports activities and employment opportunities in teens and young adults. The management of acne must take into account the impact of acne on the patient's quality of life. So the present study was carried out to determine the impact of acne and its clinical severity on quality of life among patients of different grades of acne patients in various age groups. Methods: The current cross sectional study was conducted in Patients diagnosed as acne vulgaris attending OPD of PCMS and RC Bhopal (India) in department of dermatology for a period of 2 year. (November 2012 -October 2014. 300 patients attending the Dermatology OPD with diagnosis of acne vulgaris were taken for the study. Patients aged 16 -35 years were included in our study. A detailed history was taken after obtaining consent from all the participants of study. Cardiff Acne disability index (CADI) and Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were administered on patients to determine the impact of acne vulgaris on quality of life (QOL). Data was analyzed to compare the quality of life indices (CADI and DLQI) for duration and severity of acne. Results: Mean age of study population was 20.69 years. There was a male preponderance with ratio of 1.04:1 (M:F). According to this study 49% of patients had acne vulgaris for less than 1year. In present study maximum number 63.7% of patients presented with lesions over face followed by 14.7% of patients having lesions over face and back. According to DLQI scores of acne showed no effect in 4.3% of the patients, small effect in 26.3% of the patients, moderate effect in 38.7% of patients, very large effect in 29% of patients and extremely large effects on 1.7% of patients. According to CADI scores of acne showed low effect in 31.3% of the patients, majority had medium effect in 56.7% of patients and high effect was seen on 12 % of patients. Conclusions: Overall our study showed that quality of life is significantly impaired in patients of severe acne vulgaris. Use of these simple QOL measures as a part of integral clinical strategy will improve the outcome.

Clinico-epidemiological profile of acne vulgaris and its relationship with insulin resistance in males vs females: A comparative study

“…In the present study, 16-20 years was the most affected age group from acne vulgaris among males (60.31%) as well as females (47.06%) while the least affected age group was 31-35 years in males (0.76%) and 36-40 years in females (4.62%). Similar results were observed in the study by Pandey P et al [6] . Pandey P et al [6] revealed that majority (71% of participants) belonged to age group of 18 to 25 years with majority of students and 11.3% patients belonged to age group 26 to 35 years.…”

“…Similar results were observed in the study by Pandey P et al [6] . Pandey P et al [6] revealed that majority (71% of participants) belonged to age group of 18 to 25 years with majority of students and 11.3% patients belonged to age group 26 to 35 years. The relation between acne formation and BMI has been studied by many authors.…”

“…In present study, out of 500 subjects, 52.4% and 47.6% were males and females respectively. Pooja Pandey et al [6] in their study found that there was a male preponderance with ratio of 1.04:1 which is similar to our study. Waqar Al-Kubaisy et al [7] reported that there was a significantly higher rate of acne among male students than that among females.…”

A clinico-epidemiological study on various patterns of facial dermatoses in adolescents attending a rural tertiary centre: A cross-sectional study

“…These physiological changes that occur in the skin during puberty and adolescence have several effects, and this may also be a reason for seeking medical advice in many cases. 2 There were only a single comparative study by Radhamani et al on facial dermatoses in adolescent population. 3…”

A cross-sectional study on the assessment of dermatology life quality index among the adolescents and young adults with acne vulgaris in south Indian population

“…9 Increased awareness and early intervention for the psychosocial and psychiatric sequel of acne can benefit patients. 10…”