Prevalence and Clinical Patterns of Acne Vulgaris Among Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/036st127Keywords:
Acne vulgaris, pathogenesis., prevalence; undergraduate students; Global Acne Grading SystemAbstract
Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological conditions affecting adolescents and young adults. Undergraduate students represent a population in which the disease frequently coincides with heightened academic stress and concern about appearance, yet local prevalence and clinical-pattern data are limited. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of acne vulgaris among undergraduate students attending a tertiary care hospital in South India, to describe its clinical patterns and severity, and to quantify its impact on quality of life. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 undergraduate students. Participants underwent a structured interview and clinical dermatological examination. Acne severity was graded using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) and health-related quality of life was measured with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: The point prevalence of acne vulgaris was 71.0% (213/300; 95% CI 65.9–76.1%). Prevalence did not differ significantly between female (70.4%) and male (72.1%) students (p=0.86) but was significantly higher among students with a first-degree family history of acne (80.2% vs 65.2%; p=0.008). Among the 213 affected students, acne was mild in 54.0%, moderate in 38.0% and severe in 8.0%. The cheeks were the most commonly involved site (71.4%) and comedones were the most frequent lesion type (85.4%). Mean DLQI score was 5.92 (SD 3.94) and rose significantly with severity (mild 3.90, moderate 7.00, severe 14.47; p<0.001); GAGS and DLQI scores were moderately correlated (r=0.635, p<0.001). Only 34.7% of affected students had ever consulted a dermatologist, whereas 54.9% practised self-medication. Conclusions: Acne vulgaris was highly prevalent in this undergraduate population and exerted a measurable, severity-dependent burden on quality of life, yet formal care-seeking was low. Targeted dermatological education and accessible campus health services are warranted.
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