A global perspective on the epidemiology of acne

Abstract

SummaryAcne is estimated to affect 9Á4% of the global population, making it the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that acne is most common in postpubescent teens, with boys most frequently affected, particularly with more severe forms of the disease. This paper aims to provide an update on the epidemiology of acne worldwide. Recent general and institutional studies from around the world have shown that the prevalence of acne is broadly consistent globally (with the exception of specific populations, which are discussed). However, this review highlights that there is a wide range of disparate outcome measures being applied in epidemiology studies, and we emphasize the need to develop a widely accepted, credible, standard assessment scale to address this in the future. In addition we discuss special populations, such as those devoid of acne, as well as the impact of potential determinants of acne on disease epidemiology.Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a common condition with a wide range of potential harms and associated costs. The former include symptomatic discomfort, scarring, emotional and psychosocial distress, occupational consequences and potential psychiatric disturbances including depression and suicide. Identification of individuals at risk of these sequelae can contribute to reducing the morbidity associated with acne.The Global Burden of Disease Project estimates the prevalence of acne at 9Á4%, ranking it as the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. 1,2This initiative established prevalence and disability data from primary research manuscripts and databases, and conducted subsequent data analysis with a Bayesian meta-regression methodology, providing a means to harmonize discordant data and to account for a lack of data in geographical, temporal or other demographic items.2 While this project uses primary research findings to inform global metrics, there has not been a recent attempt to collate and present the world literature on acne prevalence collected over the past decade and a half. The last such review of acne prevalence in both general and schoolaged populations comprised literature up to 1995.

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“…Acne prevalence was reported to be 85% in the population age of 12 to 24 years [2] [12] [13]. On the acne self-assessment questionnaire, acne was reported by 83.4% of students compared to 98% by the physician's examination.…”

Supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 normalises skin expression of genes implicated in insulin signalling and improves adult acne

“…Acne is a common chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by a number of different skin lesions, including comedones as well as painful and inflamed pustules and nodules (Tan and Bhate, 2015;Das and Reynolds, 2014). The pathogenesis of inflammatory acne is complex and involves increased sebum production and hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands under androgenic influence, ductal obstruction from increased keratinocyte desquamation and proliferation, Propionibacterium acne colonization, and inflammatory cell infiltration (Suh and Kwon, 2015;Tilles, 2014).…”

Adult Acne: Prevalence and Portrayal in Primary Healthcare Patients, in the Greater Porto Area, Portugal

“…[1][2][3] This skin disease is estimated to affect 94% of the global population at one time, making it the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. 4 Adult acne is either acne that started in adolescence and continued into adulthood or late-onset acne (appearing after 20 or even 50 years of age).…”