Investigation of the impact level of acne on quality of life in patients aged 18-65 who present to family medicine with acne complaint

Aim: Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by lesions such as pimples, blackheads, papules, and nodules. It typically begins in adolescence and can persist until the late twenties. However, in some patients, acne may continue into later stages of life. Acne vulgaris, one of the most common skin diseases, affects an individuals physical appearance. Therefore, acne can significantly impact the self-esteem and quality of life of adolescents, particularly during puberty. This study aims to investigate the effect of acne on the quality of life of patients presenting with acne complaints in family medicine. The study seeks to determine individuals quality of life, examine its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, and explore its association with acne vulgaris. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted to assess the level of impact of acne on the quality of life in individuals aged 18-65. It was carried out among patients aged 18-65 who presented to the Family Medicine Clinic of Usak Training and Research Hospital between July 15, 2023, and February 15, 2024. Initially, patients participating in the study were included on a voluntary basis, and after providing necessary explanations about the study, written consent was obtained from them. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part included questions regarding the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, while the second part included questions containing the Acne Quality of Life Scale. Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS.27 program with appropriate tests. Results: Our study included a total of 417 patients, with a mean age of 25.61±5.76 years. Of these, 69.1% (n=288) were female, and 30.9% (n=129) were male. There was a low-level correlation between age and the total score of the Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQOL) (p=<0.001). The total AQOL score for females was statistically significantly higher than that for males (p=0.03). However, there was no statistically significant difference between females and males in terms of clinical acne grades (p=0.53). Among the patients, 47.7% (n=199) had non-inflammatory lesions and less than 10 inflammatory lesions (Grade 1), 22.8% (n=95) had 10-20 inflammatory lesions (Grade 2), 9.8% (n=41) had inflammatory trunk lesions (Grade 3), and 19.7% (n=82) had nodules and scars on the face and/or body (Grade 4). The mean total score and standard deviation of the responses given by patients to the AQOL was 23.21±9.93, with total scores ranging from 2 to 44. There was a statistically significant correlation between patients' clinical acne grades and the total AQOL score (p=<0.001). A low-level, positive correlation was found between the duration of acne and the total AQOL score (p=0.04). Conclusions: Acne vulgaris affects not only adolescents but also other age groups quality of life. When we look at its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, various factors have an impact on the quality of life. As the severity and duration of acne increase, the quality of life decreases. Therefore, early treatment is important for patients with acne complaints. Key words: Acne Vulgaris, Physical Appearance, Quality Of Life, Self-Confidence,