Screening for Body Dysmorphic Disorders in Acne Patients: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychiatry
• Mental Health

Background:

• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a challenging mental health condition characterized by obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance.
• BDD often causes significant distress and complicates treatment, necessitating improved diagnostic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of BDD among dermatology out-patients in urban and rural settings.
• To assess the utility of screening tools in identifying potential BDD cases within a dermatology patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, observational pilot study involving 81 dermatology out-patients.
• Utilized the Cook's Acne Grading Scale and the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ) for assessment.
• Defined possible BDD cases using BDDQ scores and acne severity (mild to moderate lesions).

Main Results:

• BDD prevalence rates ranged from 8.6% (mild acne criteria) to 14.8% (moderate acne criteria).
• The study population included patients aged 13-43, with an average age of 19; 54.3% were female.
• A significant proportion of patients (61.7%) were recruited from a rural hospital.

Conclusions:

• Screening for BDD in dermatology patients is essential due to its significant prevalence.
• Positive BDD screening correlates with substantial time spent worrying about appearance (average 2 hours/day).
• Early identification and referral to mental health specialists are critical for diagnosis confirmation and treatment of BDD.