The Social and Psychological Impact of Acne Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study of Blood Donors

Rune Kjærsgaard Andersen, Dorra Bouazzi, Christian Erikstrup, Kaspar René Nielsen, Kristoffer Sølvsten Burgdorf, Mie Topholm Bruun, Henrik Hjalgrim, Susan Mikkelsen, Henrik Ullum, Ole Birger Pedersen, Gregor Borut Ernst Jemec

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acne in adolescence and adulthood is believed to have a long-term impact on socioeconomic status (SES) and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cross-sectional prevalence of medically treated (MedTreAc) and untreated acne (UnTreAc) and to characterize its long-term impact in adults.

METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional study on 17 428 blood donors aged 18-35 was performed. Associations among acne and HRQoL, depressive symptoms, total income, and SES were investigated via linear/logistic/multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for relevant covariables. HRQoL was measured by the Short Form-12, and depressive symptoms by the Major Depression Inventory. The data were self-reported.

RESULTS: Of the participants, 3591 (20.6%) and 1354 (7.8%) identified as the MedTreAc and UnTreAc phenotype, respectively. Neither phenotype was associated with a long-term impact on total income, but the MedTreAc group was associated with being an apprentice/student (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.42; P = 1.3×10-4) or high skill-level employee (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07; 1.39, P = .0023), while self-employment was more common for those with UnTreAc (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.06, P = .0061). Additionally, the UnTreAc group was associated with a lower mental HRQoL (SF-12 mental component summary score -1.05, 95% CI: -1.56, -0.54; P = 1.4×10-9) and increased odds ratio of depressive symptoms (OR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.02, P = .046).

CONCLUSION: In this population of blood donors, the cumulative prevalence of MedTreAc and UnTreAc were 20.6% and 7.8%, respectively. Untreated acne had a long-term impact on psychosocial well-being in adulthood. It was associated with lower mental HRQoL and higher occurrence of depressive symptoms. Acne was not associated with a lower salary or SES.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
Volume26
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)485-493
Number of pages9
ISSN1203-4754
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Acne Vulgaris/epidemiology
  • Blood Donors
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression/epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Quality of Life/psychology
  • Social Class

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