Acne vulgaris: epidemiology and grading

ABSTRACT

Acne vulgaris was studied in 196 patients. They were all carefully assessed. Acne grading for different sites was also carried out in all patients. Their ages ranged from 13 to 30 years [mean 18.2 years] while the age of onset varied between 11 and 29 years [mean of 16.5 years]. The family history was positive in 44.9% of the patients. Clinically oily skin was found in 87.7% while dandruff was seen in 56% of cases. Many exacerbating factors were found in acne vulgaris - like diet [in 52.6%], excessive sweating [in 32.1%], premenstrual exacerbation [in 68.4% of females], emotional factors [in 59.2%], summer time [in 64.3%] and winter time [in 17.3%], while there was no seasonal variation in 18.4%. Hirsutism was found in 59.6% of affected females, while melasma was seen in 6.1% of females. The commonest sites involved were the face [99%], back [47.8%], then chest [23.5%]. Acne grading for face, back and chest was carried out and it was found that grades 1 and 2 were the commonest and seen much more among females [68.5%] than males [47.6%], while severe grades [6, 7 and 8] were much more commonly seen among males [18.3%] than females [5.3%]