Psychodermatologic pathology in adolescents: findings from the Colombian National Mental Health Survey

Associations between mental health and dermatology have generated a new branch of study called psychodermatology, which includes relevant conditions to the adolescent population. However, there is limited research focusing on this field and this specific population.

To estimate the prevalence of dermatological pathologies in the Colombian adolescent population and their possible associations with mental health conditions.

We performed a secondary analysis of the Colombian National Mental Health Survey results. A representative sample of the adolescent Colombian population answered questions regarding dermatological conditions and mental health disorders. We estimated the prevalence and evaluated associations using the chi squared independence test.

Of 1753 adolescents, 8.3% (CI95%=[6.8-10.1]) had dermatitis or skin allergies and 4.5% (CI95%=[3.3-6.1]) acne. For dermatitis, we found associations with age, education, and family dysfunction (p-Values=0.024; <0.001; 0.046 respectively). Acne was associated with age, sex, educational level, the number of social groups involved in, alcohol consumption, psychoactive substances use and previous violent experiences (respective p-Values=0.007; 0.004; 0.005; 0.036; 0.002; 0.003; 0.044). Regarding mental health, dermatological conditions were associated with depression, affective disorders, suicide attempt and suicide ideation.

Our results are the first to describe the prevalence of these disorders in Colombia. This is an exploratory study; nonetheless, it is of great value since it is the first to describe these associations in adolescents in a middle-income country, which should be considered during clinical examinations. Further longitudinal studies evaluating possible causal relationship between psychiatric and dermatological conditions are fundamental to establish causal links.