Frequency of post-adolescent acne and its impact on the quality of life of young women

Paulina Szczurek1, Grazyna Kaminska-Winciorek2, Radoslaw Spiewak1

  1. Department of Experimental Dermatology and Cosmetology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
  2. Centre for Early Detection and Treatment of Cancers, Katowice, Poland

Source: Spiewak R, Dorynska A. Czestosc wystepowania tradziku poznego oraz jego wplyw na jakosc zycia mlodych kobiet. Estetol Med Kosmetol 2012; 2 (2): 58-62. (In Polish)

 

Post-adolescent acne (adult female acne) is a chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that typically affects young women around 25 years of age. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of post-adolescent acne and its impact on the quality of life among young Polish women. Material and methods: An anonymous questionnaire survey of 128 female students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. Results: Of the 128 study participants, 95 had experienced acne problems at least once in their lives (lifetime prevalence 74%; 95%CI=67-82%). The presence of acne lesions at the time of responding to the questionnaire was reported by 71 respondents (point prevalence 55%; 95%CI=47-64%). The age at first appearance of the lesions ranged from 10-25 years (median 14 years). Among the most frequently reported acne lesions were open comedones (71%), closed comedones (46%), and less frequently, pustules (42%) and papules (23%). In the majority of the respondents (67%) the efflorescences were located mainly on the face, predominantly (46%) in the mental area. Acne lesions and associated symptoms were considered as a big or very big problem by 40% of respondents with acne. However, 95% of respondents declared that the presence of acne does not impede relations within their families. Also, the skin conditions affected the outing activities of hardly any of the respondents, and it interfered with the sporting activities, shopping, going to the cinema or attending university in none of them. Conclusions: Post-adolescent acne affects more than a half of adult Polish women and typically is a continuation of adolescent acne vulgaris. This disease decreases the level of selfattractiveness of the affected women and influences their daily routines; however, in the majority of cases it does not cause a relevant decrease in the quality of life or pose a considerable obstacle to everyday functioning and interpersonal relations.

Keywords: post-adolescent acne, adult acne, female acne, women, quality of life.

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Document created: 13 March 2013, last updated: 14 March 2013.