Diet, Smoking and Family History as Potential Risk Factors in Acne Vulgaris – a Community-Based Study

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of practices and attitudes towards lifestyle in adolescence as risk or protective factors, for both the acne occurrence and lesions’ severity.Methods. A cross-sectional study based on a self-reported questionnaire was conducted during 4 months on 148 high school students, aged 16-20 years, in a high school community of Tîrgu Mureș. Acne prevalence and severity, demographic and anthropometric characteristics, the family history of acne vulgaris, smoking behavior and the weekly intake of certain food categories supposed to increase the risk of acne vulgaris were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed in terms of Odds ratio, Confidence Interval and Chi-square (p<0.05) methods.Results. In the investigated community, acne prevalence was found of 47.30%, while 78 subjects (control group) had no facial acne lesions. In acne group: 57.1% had family history of acne, 62.9% were smokers, 22.9% were overweight or obese and 84.3% did not receive any dietary information from specialists. 41.4% were not fish consumers, while 74.3% rarely or never were eating fruits and vegetables. Statistically significant differences between the two analyzed groups were found in terms of sweets, carbonated drinks, dietary fat, white bread, fish, fruits and vegetables weekly intake.Conclusions. Family history, smoking behavior, excessive dietary fat, sweets, carbonated drinks and white bread could be considered as risk factors in acne vulgaris. An increased weekly intake of fish, vegetables and fruits, may have a protective effect in acne development or severity.

Systematic review of the epidemiology of acne vulgaris

“…The effect of smoking status on acne prevalence is controversial, with inconsistent evidence on whether smoking is a protective or risk factor 19 . Rombouts, Nijsten and Lambert 22 observed that in girls, smoking was linked to decreased odds of acne of 0.41 (95% CI 0.13-0.82) while Al Hussein et al 35 reported that smoking was a risk factor for acne, increasing the odds of acne to 2.859 (95% CI 1.467-5.576). Studies also considered smoking duration and number of cigarettes smoked.…”

“…Several dietary factors may be protective for acne. High intake of fish is suggested to reduce the risk of acne 35 , (Tables 2, 3). However, Wang et al 36 observed that seafood intake was associated with increased risk acne presentation, suggesting that the intake of other types of seafood may be associated with an increased rather than decreased risk of acne.…”

“…Previous studies have suggested a link between personal factors and acne severity. Most studies suggest a strong association between overweight or obese BMI and acne severity, with Al Hussein et al 35 reporting an odds ratio of 5.02 (95% CI 1.284-19.682; BMI ≥25 relative to BMI <25) and Lu et al 45 reporting a similar odds ratio 5.027 (95% CI 2.758-9.162; overweight/obese BMI relative to underweight/normal BMI). A meta-analysis using loose criteria was conducted to determine the association of acne severity with overweight/obese BMI with reference to normal or underweight BMI ( Supplementary Fig.…”

Acné en alumnos de medicina humana y sus factores asociados

“…no encontraron ninguna asociación observacional o genética entre el consumo de leche y el acné en su población adulta (12), y al i g u a l q u e n o s o t r o s , M a r i a n a y c o l s . concluyeron que el consumo semanal incrementado de frutas puede tener un efecto protector en el desarrollo o severidad del acné (13). Un estudio en Polonia encontró que la ingestión de lácteos parecía estar débilmente asociada con el acné (14).…”

Relationship Between Diet and Acne Among Residents of Al-Madinah Al-Munwarah, Saudi Arabia.

“…Res. 5(2), 1299-1305 1300 Several studies indicate that having acne can be a huge deterrent to adequate growth and self-confidence of young university students who represent the future of our country (1,6) where physical appearance is one of the most sensitive aspects of our society and plays a vital role in our social and physiological well-being. It has a direct impact on our self-esteem and ability to function with confidence.…”