Body dysmorphic disorder in patients with acne: a multicentre study

Area of Science:

• Psychodermatology
• Mental Health
• Dermatology

Background:

• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a challenging mental health condition.
• BDD is more common in dermatology patients than the general population.
• Acne patients exhibit a higher prevalence of BDD.

Purpose of the Study:

• Screen acne patients for potential Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
• Determine BDD prevalence using DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria.
• Analyze dermatological and sociodemographic factors associated with BDD in acne patients.

Main Methods:

• A study included 245 acne patients across 11 Spanish dermatology centers.
• The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ) was used for screening.
• Data were collected by the Aragon Psychodermatology Research Group and Spanish Research Group of Psychiatric Dermatology.

Main Results:

• A 10.6% prevalence of possible BDD was found in acne patients (DSM-IV/DSM-5).
• BDD was more prevalent in women and associated with non-inflammatory acne lesions.
• Key BDD symptoms included excessive appearance concerns (avg. >2 hrs/day), focus on the face, and compulsive behaviors like mirror checking.

Conclusions:

• The high prevalence of BDD in acne patients necessitates dermatologist screening.
• Referral to mental health services is vital for diagnosis and treatment.
• Early intervention can mitigate psychosocial deterioration and comorbid conditions.