The impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life and psychologic status in patients from upper Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease. Although neither life threatening nor physically debilitating, acne can severely affect social and psychologic functioning. Aim To study the overall impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life and psychologic functioning of patients in Egypt. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients with acne vulgaris and 50 healthy controls were evaluated. Acne patients were evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory - Adult Version (CFSEI-AD), and Symptom Check List-90 - Revised (SCL-90-R). The controls were evaluated using SCL-90-R and CFSEI-AD. RESULTS: The mean DLQI scores of male acne patients were found to be higher than those of female patients with regard to symptoms and feelings, daily activities, personal relationships, and treatment; however, the differences were significant for leisure (P = 0.005) and total score (P = 0.022) only. The CFSEI-AD score of patients was significantly lower than that of controls (P = 0.001). Acne patients had significantly higher scores than controls in all items of the SCL-90-R. Significant positive correlations were found between the duration and severity of illness and DLQI and SCL-90-R scores. There was a significant negative correlation between the duration and severity of acne and CFSEI-AD scores. CONCLUSION: Acne vulgaris has a significant effect on the quality of life. Our results highlight the importance of recognizing psychiatric comorbidity in acne patients.

Microhabitat and surface ultrastructure of Neothoracocotyle commersoni and Pricea multae (Monogenea: Microcotyloidea) from gills of Scombrid fish, Scomberomorus commerson.

The microhabitat and surface topography of microcotylid monogenean parasites Neothoracocotyle commersoni and Pricea multae from gills of Spanish mackerels, Scomberomorus commerson was investigated. The results showed that N. commersoni was aggregated at the first gill sector while P. multae was aggregated at both first and second sectors in single infestation. In contrary, in mixed infestation, N. commersoni occupied the first sector of gills and P. multae was restricted only at the fourth sector with high intensity of infestation compared to N. commersoni. Aggregation of single species of monogenea in restricted habitat may aid cross-fertilization and hence producing of hybrids strains of parasites which might be more potent and vicious causing severe damage to the host. Surface ultrastructure of the representative monogenea showed that the tegument was provided with microvillus-like projections that suggested metabolic exchange and absorption of micromolecular nutrients from the surrounding environment. The architecture of clamps of N. commersoni was differed from that of P. multae in possessing microvillous-like projections which may act as organ of nutrition beside its principle attachment function. Ultrastructure of the clamps of both species described aid in understanding of the parasite habitat and survival.