Background:Acne vulgaris causes erythematous papulopustular lesions in active stage and often leave behind residual scarring and pigmentation. Its onset in adolescence may add to the emotional and psychological challenges experienced during this period.Aims:To assess the impact of acne on the various psychosocial domains of daily life.Materials and Methods:This was a prospective, cross-sectional study done in the dermatology out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital from January to March 2015. A total of 100 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients of acne vulgaris, aged 15 years and above were included in this study. The relationship between acne vulgaris and its sequelae was analyzed with ten different domains of daily life by using dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire.Results:Females (56%), 15–20 year olds (61%), facial lesions (60%), and Grade II acne (70%) were most common. Acne scars were noted in 75% patients, whereas 79% cases had post-acne hyperpigmentation. Thirty-seven percent patients had DLQI scores of (6–10) interpreted as moderate effect on patient's life. Statistically significant correlation (P < 0.05) found were as follows: Physical symptoms with grade of acne; embarrassment with site and grade of acne; daily activities with grade of acne and post-acne pigmentation; choice of clothes with site of acne; social activities with gender, site and grade of acne; effect on work/study with grade of acne; interpersonal problems with site and post-acne pigmentation; sexual difficulties with grade of acne.Limitation:It was a hospital-based study with small sample size.Conclusion:Significant impact of acne and its sequelae was noted on emotions, daily activities, social activities, study/work, and interpersonal relationships. Assurance and counseling along with early treatment of acne vulgaris is important to reduce disease-related psychosocial sequelae and increase the efficacy of treatment.

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Background and Aims:Acne vulgaris affects about 85% of adolescents, often extending into adulthood. Psychosocial impact of acne on health-related quality of life (QoL) has been identified, but it remains under-evaluated, especially in Indian patients. This study was aimed to assess the impact of acne and its sequelae on the QoL.Materials and Methods:This was a hospital-based, prospective, cross-sectional study done between June and November 2014 on 114 consenting patients above 15 years of age with acne vulgaris. Acne vulgaris and its sequelae were graded, and QoL was assessed by using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire.Results:Most cases (64%) were between 15 and 20 years. Females (57%) outnumbered males. Facial lesions (61.4%) and grade II acne were most common. Mean DLQI score was 7.22. DLQI scores were statistically influenced by the age of the patient, duration and grade of acne, acne scar, and postacne hyperpigmentation.Conclusion:This study showed significant impairment of QoL in acne patients. Assurance and counseling along with early treatment of acne vulgaris are important to reduce disease-related psychosocial sequelae and increase the efficacy of treatment.

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44 to 100% for potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount, and about 81 to 91.6% for biopsy. Currently, there is no consensus on the most appropriate combination of tests that can increase the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis. The sensitivity values reported for test combinations are 57% for biopsy and KOH, and 98.3% for biopsy and culture (2).Onychoscopy is dermoscopic examination of the nail apparatus, which includes the nail plate surface and the free edge, nail matrix, nail bed, periungual folds, and hyponychium. It forms a link between naked eye examination and nail histopathology, opening the potential to prevent biopsy (3).Piracini et al. were the first to use dermoscopy to support the diagnosis of fungal infection of nails. Their retrospective study of 57 patients sought to identify and describe dermoscopic signs specific for distal subungual onychomycosis that could differentiate it from traumatic mycologically negative onycholysis (4).Very few studies are available in the literature on onychoscopic findings of onychomycosis in Indian patients. The aim of this study was to identify common onychoscopic patterns of onychomycosis prevalent in this part of India, explore their correlation with clini-cal subtypes of onychomycosis, and contribute to knowledge of the use of onychoscopy as a simple, quick, and reliable diagnostic aid for clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis in the outpatient department setting. Materials and methodsThis was an outpatient-based, observational, cross-sectional study conducted for 6 months using the STROBE checklist, after obtaining institutional ethical clearance. Patients were recruited after providing informed written consent (in Hindi or English) for inclusion in the study as well as separate consent for photography.The aim of the study was to identify common onychoscopic patterns in nails affected by onychomycosis and to describe their correlation to the clinical subtypes of onychomycosis. The inclusion criteria were all treatment-naive patients presenting to the dermatology outpatient department for the first time and clinically diagnosed with onychomycosis. Children below 18 years, patients already partially treated for onychomycosis, patients with clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis but negative on KOH mount were excluded from the study.Nail clippings of all patients were taken for KOH mounting. Only patients with a positive KOH mount were recruited for the study. Images of the affected nail were obtained with a Canon PowerShot G1x® camera. Onychoscopy was performed with DermLite II hybrid m, 3Gen, polarized mode, 10× magnification. An IPhone camera was used to capture the images. The image from the most clinically dystrophic nail unit, whether fingernail