Ana Kaminsky1, Mercedes Florez-White2, Edileia Bagatin3, Maria Isabel Arias4. 1. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2. Director of Medical Education, Department of Dermatology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA. 3. Department of Dermatology, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 4. Private Practice, Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory skin disease involving the pilosebaceous unit. The prevalence of acne is high during adolescence and is known to persist into adulthood; however, the characteristics of adult acne have not been well established. In the adult population, acne has been associated with psychosocial repercussions impacting the quality of life of those who suffer it, especially in female patients. METHODS: This study assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics of 1,384 patients between the ages of 25 and 60 years from 21 countries in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, with the purpose of identifying parameters for the severity of the disease, its links to demographic, biological, social, and environmental factors, and potential triggers. RESULTS: Gender differences in severity and location of the lesions were identified. In a univariate analysis, the male gender, use of cosmetics, age of onset of adolescence, and signs of hyperandrogenism were associated with acne severity. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of adult acne may vary from those of adolescent acne, although the disease presentations are generally similar. Further research is needed to establish similarities and differences in manifestations of adult acne versus adolescent acne.
BACKGROUND:Acne vulgaris is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory skin disease involving the pilosebaceous unit. The prevalence of acne is high during adolescence and is known to persist into adulthood; however, the characteristics of adult acne have not been well established. In the adult population, acne has been associated with psychosocial repercussions impacting the quality of life of those who suffer it, especially in female patients. METHODS: This study assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics of 1,384 patients between the ages of 25 and 60 years from 21 countries in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, with the purpose of identifying parameters for the severity of the disease, its links to demographic, biological, social, and environmental factors, and potential triggers. RESULTS: Gender differences in severity and location of the lesions were identified. In a univariate analysis, the male gender, use of cosmetics, age of onset of adolescence, and signs of hyperandrogenism were associated with acne severity. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of adult acne may vary from those of adolescent acne, although the disease presentations are generally similar. Further research is needed to establish similarities and differences in manifestations of adult acne versus adolescent acne.
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