A study on the quality of life and adjustment of adolescents with acne vulgaris
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20183168Keywords:
Quality of life, Adjustment, Acne vulgarisAbstract
Background: Acne vulgaris is a seemingly harmless disease affecting majority of adolescents. It is actually a psycho-dermatological disorder associated with psychological trauma. The impact of acne on the quality of life of Indian patients remains undocumented. A study is undertaken to assess the impact of acne on health, family, emotional and social wellbeing of acne patients.
Methods: 100 patients between age group of 13 to 19 years with acne vulgaris, attending St. Antony’s Skin Clinic, Pala, Kerala, between April 2010 and March 2012 were selected for study. The control group consisted of 100 adolescents without acne. Both groups had no other dermatological or systemic disease. Acne cases were graded using global acne grading system. Quality of life was assessed using WHO QOL BREF.Four domains were derived from this, physical and psychological health, social relationship and environment. Adjustment levels were assessed using adapted version of bell adjustment inventory.
Results: The parameters assessed were quality of life, family, social, emotional, health related and overall adjustments in those with and without acne and severity of acne in relation to quality of life and all values were significantly in favour of those without acne.
Conclusions: Acne affects personality, self-esteem and self-image of patients. It affects social interaction. Adolescents with acne report low quality of life and resultant poor psychosocial adjustment. There is an inverse relation between severity of acne and quality of life. The severity levels and adjustment also has an inverse relationship.
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