Disability In Acne Patients – A Hospital Based Study In Rural Population Of Central India

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous unit. It has been found that acne is one of the most common distressing diseases that can affect all aspects of an individual’s health-related quality of life (HRQOL), particularly in feelings and emotions, personal relationships, sports, social life and to get employment opportunity. As per best of our knowledge, there was no study on disability in acne patients in rural population of India. Aim and Objectives: The aim was to assess quality of life of patient having acne vulgaris, with the objectives 1) to assess the impact of acne on the rural patients by executing Cardiff Acne Disability Index formula (i.e. physical, social and psychological aspects of the patient’s life) 2) to observe any relationship between severity of acne vulgaris and its impact on quality of life. Material and Methods: The patients who came to dermatology OPD having acne vulgaris at AVBRH were enrolled. Quality of life of all enrolled patients of acne vulgaris were evaluated by using Cardiff Acne Disability Index questionnaires. The parameters evaluated were aggressiveness, frustration, embarrassment, effect on social life, relation with members of opposite sex, concern for skin appearance, avoidance of changing facility. Acne grading will be done by IADVL grading system. Statistical analysis done with Chi-square ( ) test. Result: Total 81 patients with Acne vulgaris were included. By using the parameters, we analyze a statistical significant impact on quality of life of acne patients were frustration, embarrassment, effect on social life, relation with members of opposite sex, concern for skin appearance and avoidance of changing facility. Aggressiveness was found to be statistically insignificant. It implies that acne is a disease of mild to moderate severity. There was a significant positive relationship between disease severities with scores of CADI. Conclusion: There was impairment in quality of life due to acne in a rural population.