Maddalena Napolitano1, Giuseppe Ruggiero2, Giuseppe Monfrecola3, Matteo Megna3. 1. Department of Medicine and Health Science "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy. 2. Family Pediatrician, National Coordinator, Dermatology Network, Italian Federation of Pediatricians (FIMP), Naples, Italy. 3. Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous follicles that affects patients of all ages with a younger onset being more common than in the past. OBJECTIVES: To investigate on the prevalence, clinical features and treatments of acne in 9 to 14-year-old patients. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted between April 2016 and May 2016. The study population consisted of patients attending 32 different pediatric ambulatory clinics located in Italy (North: 56.25%, Center: 18.75%, South: 25%). For each patient, a specific questionnaire was registered: i) demographic data; ii) past personal history of acne; iii) auxologic parameters. Further data were gathered for patients suffering from acne at study enrollment: i) body areas involved by the disease; ii) acne severity evaluated through a 0-5 scale (Global Evaluation Acne scale); iii) acne treatments. RESULTS: A total of 683 children (49.2% male; mean age 11.05 ± 1.4 years) were enrolled. Acne was present in 234/683 (34.3%) of the patients, and its prevalence increased with age being higher after 13 years of age (85/234; 36.3%) and lowest at 9 years of age (14/234; 6%). The majority of the patients suffering from acne showed a mild or almost clear disease state severity (GEA scale 1 or 2) (207/234, 88.5%), whereas severe or very severe forms (GEA scale 4 or 5) represented only 4/234, 1.7% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Acne is not a rare disease in pre-adolescent age. Adequate and prompt treatment is also needed in this class of patient to minimize disease burden and potential future disease worsening.
BACKGROUND:Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous follicles that affects patients of all ages with a younger onset being more common than in the past. OBJECTIVES: To investigate on the prevalence, clinical features and treatments of acne in 9 to 14-year-old patients. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted between April 2016 and May 2016. The study population consisted of patients attending 32 different pediatric ambulatory clinics located in Italy (North: 56.25%, Center: 18.75%, South: 25%). For each patient, a specific questionnaire was registered: i) demographic data; ii) past personal history of acne; iii) auxologic parameters. Further data were gathered for patients suffering from acne at study enrollment: i) body areas involved by the disease; ii) acne severity evaluated through a 0-5 scale (Global Evaluation Acne scale); iii) acne treatments. RESULTS: A total of 683 children (49.2% male; mean age 11.05 ± 1.4 years) were enrolled. Acne was present in 234/683 (34.3%) of the patients, and its prevalence increased with age being higher after 13 years of age (85/234; 36.3%) and lowest at 9 years of age (14/234; 6%). The majority of the patients suffering from acne showed a mild or almost clear disease state severity (GEA scale 1 or 2) (207/234, 88.5%), whereas severe or very severe forms (GEA scale 4 or 5) represented only 4/234, 1.7% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS:Acne is not a rare disease in pre-adolescent age. Adequate and prompt treatment is also needed in this class of patient to minimize disease burden and potential future disease worsening.