Profile of patients with mild-to-moderate acne in Europe: a survey

Although acne is almost universal in teenagers, few large cohort studies have investigated the profile of acne patients. To identify the profile of European patients with mild-to-moderate acne. an epidemiological study was performed using inclusion data from a prospective, international, observational phase IV study conducted in patients prescribed an anti-acne cream containing retinaldehyde, glycolic acid, modified rhamnose and Avene Thermal Spring Water. A total of 2926 patients (73.1% female) with mild to moderate acne (mean Global Evaluation of Acne score of 2.55 ± 0.7), aged 22.5 ± 8.0 years, were included in France, Switzerland, Italy and Portugal. A family history of acne was present in 62.9% of patients and mean age at acne onset was 16.0 ± 4.9 years. In total, 69.6% of patients had moderate to severe hyperseborrhoea, 35.6% acne lesions on both face and trunk, 23.6% facial pigmentation and 46% scars. The extent of acne was significantly associated with sex, age at acne onset, history of acne and presence of scars. In women, acne onset was delayed (p<0.0001) and a family history of acne and extension to the trunk were less common than in men (p = 0.0118, and p<0.0001), as were scars (p = 0.0042). In subjects with a family history of acne, the frequency in men was higher (p = 0.0118), acne onset was earlier (p<0.0001) and extension to the trunk and presence of scars were more common (both p<0.0001). Further epidemiological studies would help define specific risk factors for acne occurrence or progression, which may be modified.