Epidemiology and extracutaneous comorbidities of severe acne in adolescence: a U.S. population-based study

Abstract

SummaryBackground Little is known about the epidemiology of severe acne in the U.S. Objectives We sought to study the U.S. prevalence, determinants and comorbidities of severe acne in adolescence. Methods We analysed data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 9417 children ages 0-17 years. Prevalence of severe acne, demographics and comorbid disorders were determined. Results The U.S. prevalence of severe acne was virtually nil in the first decade of life, but increased in a linear fashion from 11 years [1Á7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0Á4-3Á0%)] to 17 years of age [12Á1% (95% CI 7Á8-16Á5%)] (RaoScott Chi-square, P < 0Á0001). Severe acne was more common in Whites compared with other racial groups at age 14-15 years (P = 0Á0004) and girls at age 11-13 (P = 0Á02). Severe acne was associated with a number of comorbid disorders. Sinopulmonary disease included sinus infection (P = 0Á0003), sore throat other than strep infection (P = 0Á0003), asthma (P = 0Á03) and nonasthmatic lung disease (P = 0Á03). Upper gastrointestinal comorbidities included reflux/ heartburn (P = 0Á0003), abdominal pain (P = 0Á03), nausea/vomiting (P = 0Á0001) and food/digestive allergy (P = 0Á01). Psychological comorbidities included depression (P = 0Á02), anxiety (P < 0Á0001), attention deficit disorder/ attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (P = 0Á01) and insomnia (P = 0Á02). Conclusions In conclusion, severe acne was more prevalent in older age, Whites, female sex and higher socioeconomic status. Future studies are needed to confirm the associations with sinopulmonary, upper gastrointestinal and psychological disorders in adolescents.

Acne prevalence in 9 to 14‐year‐old old patients attending pediatric ambulatory clinics in Italy

“…In our study, we reported a prevalence of acne of 34.3% in patients aged from 9–14 years, a percentage which is very similar to the one reported in Korean children (36.2%) but higher than in Taiwan (17.5%) . Furthermore, our findings confirmed that acne prevalence tends to increase with age as reported by previous studies . Similar studies but in a younger population previously showed that the prevalence of inflammatory acne in the age group 7–9 years in Taiwan had ranges between 1.8 and 3.9% .…”

High Frequency of Fibromyalgia in Patients With Acne Vulgaris

“…It has been reported that severe acne is related with higher frequencies of gastrointestinal, sinopulmonary, and psychological disorders. 6 In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the frequency of FMS in patients with acne vulgaris. FMS is a widespread and generally underdiagnosed condition in persons with comorbidities.…”

“…4 Also, FMS-related clinical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance or anxiety have been addressed in patients with acne vulgaris in the literature. 5,6 However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study evaluating the frequency of FMS in patients with acne vulgaris. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of FMS and to specify FMS-associated clinical symptoms in patients with acne vulgaris.…”

Epidemiology and risk factors of childhood acne in Korea: a cross-sectional community based study

“…Tan et al . found that the severity of acne increased with age in adolescents, and Silverberg et al . reported that the prevalence of severe acne dramatically increased after the age of 11 years.…”