Social Appearance Anxiety in Patients With Acne Vulgaris: a Cross-Sectional Controlled Study

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of our study is to identify the extent to which acne vulgaris patients with facial involvement are affected by this condition which may negatively affect the self-perception of individuals. Methods: A total of 122 acne vulgaris patients with facial involvement between the ages of 18-65 and 115 healthy controls that were matched in terms of age, gender and educational status have included in the study. Patients and healthy controls were asked to fill in social appearance anxiety scale (SAAS) and hospital anxiety depression scale, and dermatology life quality index and visual analog scales were applied to the patient group. The study was designed as a cross-sectional controlled study which is a type of observational study. The data of this study were collected among those who applied to the dermatology outpatient clinic between 01.03.2020-01.10.2020. The control group was selected from the hospital staff who were healthy and volunteers. Results: Average SAAS scores of the patient, and the control group were 55.20, and 19.70 points, respectively. Thus, the average SAAS score of the patient group was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Acne lesions in acne vulgaris patients that appear on visible skin surfaces cause anxiety in individuals due to their appearance. This condition revealed that those with acne lesions should undergo psychiatric as well as dermatological treatments.