Nirmalya Kumar Das1, Subhra Samujjwal Basu2, Atish Haldar3
BACKGROUND
Acne vulgaris is a common disease mostly affecting the adolescents. The lesions
can be distributed over the sebaceous rich areas of the body like face, chest, back
and upper arm. The commonest location is face. Face is psychologically the most
important part of the body. So, the presence of lesions on the face can have
significant effects on the quality of life of the patients. The purpose of this study
was to assess the effect on the quality of life (QOL) of the patients who have acne
vulgaris on their face. Along with that this study was planned to assess as to
whether the effect on QOL is related to two demographic factors - age & gender
and two clinical factors - duration of disease and grade of acne vulgaris.
METHODS
81 patients having acne vulgaris on their face who attended the Dermatology OPD
were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire.
RESULTS
Acne vulgaris of the face had significant adverse effect on the QOL of the affected
patients. DLQI score was found to be more with increase in age of the patients.
There was no significant association between DLQI score & gender. The clinical
factors, duration of disease and the grade of acne vulgaris had statistically
significant positive correlation with DLQI score.
CONCLUSIONS
Acne vulgaris had an adverse effect on the QOL of the patients. QOL was more
affected with increase in age of the patients. Duration of the lesions and grade of
acne vulgaris had a positive correlation with the effect on the QOL of the patients.
The lesions can be controlled with treatment. Proper counselling is also very
important.
