J I Silverberg1, N B Silverberg. 1. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Suite 1400, 680 Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60611, U.S.A.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the epidemiology of severe acne in the U.S. OBJECTIVES: We sought to study the U.S. prevalence, determinants and comorbidities of severe acne in adolescence. METHODS: We analysed data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 9417 children ages 0-17 years. Prevalence of severe acne, demographics and comorbid disorders were determined. RESULTS: The U.S. prevalence of severe acne was virtually nil in the first decade of life, but increased in a linear fashion from 11 years [1·7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0·4-3·0%)] to 17 years of age [12·1% (95% CI 7·8-16·5%)] (Rao-Scott Chi-square, P < 0·0001). Severe acne was more common in Whites compared with other racial groups at age 14-15 years (P = 0·0004) and girls at age 11-13 (P = 0·02). Severe acne was associated with a number of comorbid disorders. Sinopulmonary disease included sinus infection (P = 0·0003), sore throat other than strep infection (P = 0·0003), asthma (P = 0·03) and nonasthmatic lung disease (P = 0·03). Upper gastrointestinal comorbidities included reflux/heartburn (P = 0·0003), abdominal pain (P = 0·03), nausea/vomiting (P = 0·0001) and food/digestive allergy (P = 0·01). Psychological comorbidities included depression (P = 0·02), anxiety (P < 0·0001), attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (P = 0·01) and insomnia (P = 0·02). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, severe acne was more prevalent in older age, Whites, female sex and higher socioeconomic status. Future studies are needed to confirm the associations with sinopulmonary, upper gastrointestinal and psychological disorders in adolescents.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the epidemiology of severe acne in the U.S. OBJECTIVES: We sought to study the U.S. prevalence, determinants and comorbidities of severe acne in adolescence. METHODS: We analysed data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 9417 children ages 0-17 years. Prevalence of severe acne, demographics and comorbid disorders were determined. RESULTS: The U.S. prevalence of severe acne was virtually nil in the first decade of life, but increased in a linear fashion from 11 years [1·7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0·4-3·0%)] to 17 years of age [12·1% (95% CI 7·8-16·5%)] (Rao-Scott Chi-square, P < 0·0001). Severe acne was more common in Whites compared with other racial groups at age 14-15 years (P = 0·0004) and girls at age 11-13 (P = 0·02). Severe acne was associated with a number of comorbid disorders. Sinopulmonary disease included sinus infection (P = 0·0003), sore throat other than strep infection (P = 0·0003), asthma (P = 0·03) and nonasthmatic lung disease (P = 0·03). Upper gastrointestinal comorbidities included reflux/heartburn (P = 0·0003), abdominal pain (P = 0·03), nausea/vomiting (P = 0·0001) and food/digestive allergy (P = 0·01). Psychological comorbidities included depression (P = 0·02), anxiety (P < 0·0001), attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (P = 0·01) and insomnia (P = 0·02). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, severe acne was more prevalent in older age, Whites, female sex and higher socioeconomic status. Future studies are needed to confirm the associations with sinopulmonary, upper gastrointestinal and psychological disorders in adolescents.
Authors: Yee-How Say; Anna Hwee Sing Heng; Kavita Reginald; Yi Ru Wong; Keng Foo Teh; Smyrna Moti Rawanan Shah; Yang Yie Sio; Yu Ting Ng; Sri Anusha Matta; Sze Lei Pang; Fook Tim Chew Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-03-27 Impact factor: 3.295