A comprehensive health impact assessment and determinants of quality of life, health and psychological status in acne patients.

AIM: Acne adversely affects all aspects of quality of life (QoL). Although many papers assessed acne-specific QoL impairment, there are few data on its impact on general health and psychological status. Apart from acne severity, little is known about determinants of a worse QoL. The aims of this paper were to measure acne impact on QoL, health and psychological status and to analyze the relationship between socio-demographic variables, disease severity and mental status on QoL of acne sufferers.

METHODS

Acne cases were selected from a survey conducted in 2010. The Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey and the Skindex-29 were used to assess health status and QoL. The 12-Items General Health Questionnaire was used to identify individuals at risk for non-psychotic psychiatric disorders (GHQ-positive). Physician (PhGA) and patient global assessments were obtained. We investigated the variables involved in the QoL through a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-five cases were analyzed. Twenty-six percent were GHQ-positive; acne's impact on health status was worse compared to other chronic diseases. A GHQ-positive status (Skindex-29 overall: OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.20-5.60, P<0.05, functioning: OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.17-5.44, P<0.05, symptoms: OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.36-6.53, P<0.01; emotions: OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.19-5.46, P<0.05) and having a severe/very severe PhGA (Skindex-29 overall: OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.20-10.38, P<0.05) were associated with a poor QoL. Age of onset >25 was linked to being GHQ-positive (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.2-7.1, P<0.05) controlling for gender, marital status and educational level.

CONCLUSION

Acne is not a minor disease in comparison with other chronic conditions. Age of onset is capable to influence GHQ status which in turn affects QoL.