Abstract

BMI AND ACNE VULGARIS,UPDATING MANAGEMENT, IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Dr. Khalid Abdulwahid Gado*, Dr. Amna Kamal Mohammed Ali and Dr. Golar Rashid Ameen

ABSTRACT

Background: An association between obese/overweight and acne vulgaris has long been postulated, but with controversial results. Aim: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between acne vulgaris, body mass index (BMI), and family history of related metabolic disorders in Chinese. Methods: We conducted a case-control study of risk factors for acne in iraq population aged 10 to 25 years attending outpatient departments in iraq. A total of consecutive 264 patients with acne were recruited, while 195 non-acne patients or healthy subjects served as controls. Results: The mean BMI was higher in moderate to severe acne patients (Pillsbury grading scale, grades 3 and 4) (21.86}2.83 kg/m2) than controls (20.22}2.43 kg/m2) (P<0.001). Moderate to severe acne was positively associated with overweight and obesity in people aged 18-25 years, with a more pronounced effect in women [Odds ratio (OR) 14.526, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.961-71.272, P<0.001] than in men (OR 3.528, 95% CI 1.553-8.014, P=0.002). Body mass index in patients with thorax-back lesions were higher (22.30}2.57 kg/m2) than patients without thorax-back lesions (20.68}2.23 kg/m2) (P<0.001) and the relationship between thorax-back acne and overweight was observed (OR 4.480, 95% CI 2.182-9.196, P<0.001). Presence of family history of metabolic disorders such as hypertension (OR 3.511, 95% CI 1.977-6.233, P<0.001), diabetes (OR 2.697, 95% CI 1.565-4.647, P<0.001), overweight and obesity (OR1.844, 95% CI 1.242-4.407, P=0.032) were also found to be associated with increased acne severity. Conclusions: Obese/overweight in women aged 18-25 years with severe acne and family history of metabolic disorders could be risk factors of acne in patients.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris, BMI (body mass index), adolescent and young adults, family history of metabolic disorders, risk factors.