A CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF ADULT ACNE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS AND COMPLICATIONS- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN EASTERN PART OF INDIA

Smita Rani  Samal; Prasenjeet  Mohanty; Kirtirekha  Mohapatra; Swadesh Kumar  Mohanty

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i6.1243

Authors

Smita Rani Samal Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, India
Prasenjeet Mohanty HOD and Professor, Department of Dermatology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, India
Kirtirekha Mohapatra Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, India
Swadesh Kumar Mohanty Senior Resident, Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i6.1243

Keywords:

adult acne, hyperandrogenism, females, external factors, scarring

Abstract

Background

Acne is affecting an increasing number of adults so no longer be considered as a disease of adolescence. Limited data are available on the clinical characteristics, etiological factors, and complications of adult acne in the Indian population.

Aim

To study the prevalence, clinical pattern, contributing etiological and aggravating factors, and complications of adult acne.

Methods

Patients older than 25 years presenting with acne were included in this prospective study. A detailed history and clinical examination with stress on aggravating and etiological factors were carried out. Hormonal studies were done in females with signs of hyperandrogenism. Complications like scarring and psychological stress were assessed by using a qualitative scarring grading system and PHQ-4 respectively.

Results

A total of 200 patients were included in the study (mean age 31.88 ±1.325 years), comprising 80% females and 20% males. The prevalence of adult acne among the study population was 0.63%. Persistent acne was observed in 64% and late onset in 36%. The majority of the patients had inflammatory papules and it was of grade II in severity (56.5%). The predominant site of involvement was the cheek (70.56%) in the majority, followed by the mandible (12.29%). The most common etiological factor was topical steroid use seen in 43% of patients. Hyperandrogenism was observed in 19.38% but hyperandrogenemia in only 3.75% of females. Scarring was recorded in 82% and psychological stress in 53% of patients.

Conclusion

Adult acne is more common in females, with both external and internal factors playing significant roles. It is primarily facial and inflammatory, often leading to scarring and psychological comorbidities, significantly impairing quality of life. Early and adequate treatment is crucial.

Recommendations

Early and adequate treatment of adult acne is crucial to prevent significant scarring and psychological comorbidities. Large-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings and optimize management strategies.