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Published on: November 30, 2015
Acne prevalence, knowledge about acne and psychological morbidity in mid-adolescence: a community-based study
A Smithard1, C Glazebrook, H C Williams
1Behavioural Sciences Section, Division of Psychiatry, A Floor, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
Background:
Acne vulgaris is a distressing condition that affects the majority of adolescents, but its impact on mental health in this age group is poorly understood.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of acne, knowledge about acne and rates of help-seeking behaviour in English teenagers. It was hypothesized that presence of acne would be associated with higher rates of emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Methods:
Three hundred and seventeen pupils (80% response rate) aged 14-16 years participated from a comprehensive school in Nottingham. An age-appropriate, validated measure of emotional well-being, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and an Acne Management Questionnaire were used to assess participants' psychological health, level of acne knowledge and help-seeking behaviour. Acne severity was by graded by visual facial examination using an adaptation of the Leeds Acne Grading Technique.
Results:
There was a prevalence of acne in 50% of the study sample, with 11% of participants having moderate to severe acne (> 20 inflammatory lesions). Participants with definite acne (12+ lesions) (P < 0.01) and girls (P < 0.05) had higher levels of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Participants with acne were nearly twice as likely as those without acne to score in the abnormal/borderline range of the SDQ (32% vs. 20%; odds ratio 1.86, 95% confidence interval 1.03-3.34). Knowledge about the causes of acne was low (mean 45%), and was unrelated to acne status. Fewer than a third of participants with definite acne had sought help from a doctor.
Conclusions:
Acne is a common disorder in English adolescents and appears to have a considerable impact on emotional health in this age group. Low levels of acne knowledge and poor acne management are concerns that could be amenable to a school-based education programme.
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