Investigation of factors affecting scar formation in acne patients

Yanik, H.I. Investigation of effective factors in scar formation in patients with acne. Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Thesis, Eskişehir 2023. In this study, a total of 403 patients aged 18 years and older with acne who applied to Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Polyclinic between 07.08.2022 and 21.09.2023 were included. Patients whose consent forms were obtained underwent dermatologic examinations and sociodemographic information was recorded. Global acne rating scale and Global scale of acne scar severity (SCAR-S) were evaluated by a dermatologist after dermatologic examination. A form containing data such as background, education level, smoking and alcohol habits, Acne Quality of Life Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 Short Form (BIS-11), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were filled out by the patients. The factors associated with acne scar formation in our study were male gender, oily skin, having Fitzpatrick skin type 3 and 4, duration of treatment, duration of disease, age at onset of disease, acne severity, not using systemic or topical treatment and not using dermocosmetic products. Itching and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation were found to be higher in people with acne scars. Smoking and a family history of severe acne were found to be higher in patients with acne scars, but it was not statistically significant. BIS-11 scores, Acne Quality of Life Scale scores and DASS-21 scores of patients with acne scars were found to be statistically significantly higher. A statistically significant, same directional relationship was detected between acne scar severity and BIS-11 score, Acne Quality of Life Scale score and DASS-21 score. As a result, multiple factors are effective in acne scar formation, and acne scars and high scar severity scores have a negative impact on the psychoemotional state of patients In the approach to acne patients, factors that increase the risk of scar formation should be identified and appropriate patients should receive early and effective treatment. Key Words: acne, scar, risk factors