Community-based study of acne vulgaris in adolescents in Singapore

• Published in: British journal of dermatology (1951) Vol. 157; no. 3; pp. 547 - 551
• Main Authors: Tan, H-H., Tan, A.W.H., Barkham, T., Yan, X-Y., Zhu, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2007; Blackwell
• Subjects: acne; Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Acne Vulgaris - epidemiology; Acne Vulgaris - psychology; Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; antibiotic resistance; Asian; Biological and medical sciences; Body Image; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatology; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Epidemiology; Erythromycin - therapeutic use; Female; General aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Prevalence; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Singapore - epidemiology; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; Asia; Singapore; Human; Skin disease; Prevalence; Dermatology; Epidemiology; Asian; Acne vulgaris; Resistance; Antibiotic; acne; antibiotic resistance; Adolescent; Community
• ISSN: 0007-0963; 1365-2133
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08087.x

Summary Background  There are few studies on the prevalence of acne vulgaris among Asian teenagers. Objectives  To determine the epidemiology of acne in teenagers in Singapore. Methods  A community‐based cross‐sectional study in 1045 adolescents aged 13–19 years. Results  Of these respondents, 88% identified themselves as having acne. Eight hundred and six of these respondents were examined by a dermatologist, and 51·4% were classified as having mild acne, 40% moderate acne and 8·6% severe acne. Isolation of Propionibacterium acnes was attempted in 262 subjects. Cultures were positive in 174 subjects, giving an isolation rate of 66·4%. Antibiotic‐resistant strains of P. acnes were detected in 26 isolates (14·9%). Eleven of these 26 subjects (42%) had previously been treated or were presently on antibiotic treatment for acne, but the other 58% of students who had antibiotic‐resistant strains of P. acnes did not give a history of prior antibiotic therapy. Teenagers expressed psychological distress over acne, and believed that hormonal factors, diet and hygiene were important factors in causing acne. Conclusions  There is a need for accessible, accurate education on acne and its appropriate treatment.