BACKGROUND

Acne patients often use medications, either over the counter or prescribed by dermatologists, to manage their condition. Dermatologists frequently include sunscreens as part of these treatment plans alongside acne medications. This research aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sunscreen use among respondents who are confirmed acne patients and have been prescribed sunscre-en as part of their treatment regimen.

This research examines the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices of acne patients regarding sunscreen use as part of their acne t reatment regimen, considering demographic factors. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the respondents will be compared across different age groups, genders, and employment statuses.

This study purposefully collected data from patients with active acne on the use of sunscreens alongside acne medications. The sample included males and females aged 18-27, 28-40, and 40+ residing in either the National Capital Region or the CALABARZON Region, with 105 respondents in each group. Data was gathered using a validated Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire, consisting of 30 questions that had undergone reliability testing via Cronbach's alpha. Responses were recorded on a 3-point Likert scale to model the interaction of KAP variables. The research material was distributed through Google Forms in June 2024. Data analysis was conducted using R, specifically the psych package, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to compare groups, determining if significant differences existed among them. This test was incorporated within RStudio.

Findings indicated that respondents generally demonstrated a high level of understanding regarding the importance of sunscreen when used alongside acne treatments, particularly acknowledging its role in preventing acne scarring and reducing skin sensitivity caused by treatment products. Additionally, attitudes toward sunscreen use were largely positive, with respondents rejecting common misconceptions about sunscreen. However, actual sunscreen application practices were moderate, with adherence levels varying across the sample. Significant differences in sunscreen use were observed based on employment status, gender, and age.

Acne patients in this study had a high level of knowledge and a positive attitude on the use of sunscreen together with their acne medications. consistency in sunscreen application was moderate. unemployed respondents were more receptive to external influences regarding sunscreen use. Female respondents were more informed and proactive than male respondents. Younger respondents were more influenced by social networks. This research highlights the need for continued education on the benefits of sunscreen use to be able to achieve an effective acne vulgaris management.

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is one of the common skin diseases prompting dermatologic consult. Although prevalent worldwide, knowledge of the public about acne is still lacking. Due to this, content related to acne vulgaris has been a topic of choice on social media platforms.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris aged 18-50 years-old consulting via teledermatology and face-to-face consultation at the Rizal Medical Center. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire and global acne severity was assessed.

A total of 120 newly d iagnosed patients with acne vulgaris were included in the study, with a mean age of 23.25 years, with a female predominance, household average monthly income less than PhP 10,957 and with mild to moderate acne severity. Majority of the participants used social media to look for treatment options and to gain more knowledge about the disease. The most used platforms were Youtube, Facebook and Tiktok. Short videos were viewed more often and content from dermatologists were preferred. Most commonly tried products are over-the-counted non-pharmaceutical topical products. There was a significant association between the use of social media with age and educational attainment. Furthermore, a significant association between self-medication practices and average household monthly income was seen. No association was seen between acne severity, social media use and self-medication practices.

In summary, the use of social media to access acne-related content was prevalent among young female patients, of lower socioeconomic status diagnosed with mild-moderate acne severity at a tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

Humans ; Adolescent ; Acne Vulgaris/therapy* ; Skin Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Cognition ; China ; Skin

INTRODUCTION

Oral isothretinoin is the treatment of choice in moderate to severe acne vulgaris. The most common adverse effect is mild mucocutaneous symptoms and the most seious risk is related to teratogenecity. Hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis are rarely associated with isotretinoin therapy.

We report a case of a 26-year-old female patient with no known comorbidities who was started on isotretinoin therapy for acne vulgaris. The patient presented with baseline hyperuricemia with no joint pains or swelling. Two and a half weeks later after initiation of isotretinoin therapy, the patient developed pain and swelling on the left wrist, hence was started on urate-lowering medications and maintained on isotretinoin tharapy. The patient had no recurrence of joint pains and remains symptom-free for six months later.

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a common condition among young people affecting body image. Despite being benign, its impact may be underestimated necessitating holistic treatment.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and acne severity, and its association to demographic characteristics in young people with acne vulgaris. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 patients with acne vulgaris aged 10 24 years seen at a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire, the Cardiff Indeks ng Kapansanan nang may Tigyawat (CIKT), and were assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Statistical analysis examined correlations between acne severity, QoL and demographic factors.

The 75 participants recruited were mainly female, aged 19-24 with monthly family incomes between 9,520 and 43,828 pesos. Many had acne for over three years and were self assessed as moderate. On evaluation, most were classified as having mild acne with moderate QoL impairment. Data analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between acne severity and QoL, indicating that with increased acne severity, the more significant patients’ QoL scores were affected. Self-evaluation and sex were linked to acne severity, with acne self-evaluation showing a statistical significance in relation to QoL. No significance was seen with sex and QoL

A personalized treatment is essential for young patients with acne vulgaris. Factors such as acne severity, self-evaluation, sex and the quality of life should be considered to address the impact of acne on patients’ lives.

BACKGROUND

Long-term administration of conventional acne medications implies the potential risk of increasing microbial resistance, and safety risks. Recent interest has grown in probiotics as a potential treatment and as an adjunct for acne vulgaris.

To conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of oral probiotics in reducing the severity of acne vulgaris compared to placebo or conventional treatments.

PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for relevant studies, and randomized controlled trials of acne vulgaris treatment with probiotic therapy were included. Outcomes include decrease in total lesion count/percent change from baseline, improvement of severity scores, inflammation related indicators, and gene expression. Changes in outcomes were calculated by effect size or pooled odds ratio.

A total of 2 RCTs involving 100 participants were included. Both studies show low risk on the risk bias criteria. The data of 2 RCTs reporting severity scores (AGSS and GAGS) supports that probiotics can improve their scores and thereby their condition. For inflammation-related indicators, only 1 RCT showed that probiotics can improve the IGF1 and FOXO1 gene expression in the skin. Regarding safety, only Eguren et al. reported adverse event. Their RCT showed that the incidence of adverse events was low and no serious adverse events.

In conclusion, the probiotics investigated in both studies may be given as adjuvant treatment for acne vulgaris as they improve the clinical course of patients.

INTRODUCTION

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition caused by various factors within the pilosebaceous unit. Propolis, a sticky, brown, and fragrant resinous material made by bees, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can help address some of the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

To compare the efficacy and safety of propolis 10% cream versus benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 5% cream on mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

The study included 46 participants with mild to moderate acne or Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) grade 2 or 3, randomized to receive propolis 10% or BPO 5% cream twice daily for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were IGA success rates (score of 0 or 1), 50% lesion reduction, adverse reactions, and quality of life changes measured by the DLQI.

The study found that the success rate was 15% in the propolis group and 9% in the BPO group. In clinical response, 25% of patients in the propolis group and 52.38% in the benzoyl peroxide (BPO) group showed improvement in inflammatory lesions. For non-inflammatory lesions, 5% of patients in the propolis group demonstrated improvement, compared to 28.57% in the BPO group (p=0.538). 5% of the propolis group reported itching and burning, while 9.52% of the BPO group reported scaling (p=0.1806). Both groups showed significant decreases in DLQI scores from baseline to the fourth follow-up.

Topical propolis 10% cream can be an alternative acne treatment, given its comparable effect to BPO and its excellent safety profile.

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder among adolescents and young adults, with a worldwide prevalence of 9.4%. Both 5% dapsone gel and 5% benzoyl peroxide gel (BPO) have been reported in literature to have antimicrobial action against Cutibacterium acnes.

To compare the efficacy and safety of 5% dapsone gel versus 5% BPO gel in Filipino patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris in a tertiary hospital.

Phase 1 involved compounding 5% dapsone gel and assessing its safety in healthy individuals through a repeated open application test in 30 participants. In phase 2, a double- blinded experimental study compared the efficacy and safety of both groups. Participants were randomized through block design. Efficacy and safety was assessed using the Global Acne Assessment Score (GAAS) and lesion count, and monitoring the adverse effects. The Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) questionnaire was utilized to evaluate the impact on quality of life.

In phase 1, 56.7% of the participants were female and the only reported adverse event was pruritus (13.3%). In phase 2, both the BPO and dapsone group had 35 participants enrolled. Most are female (75.7%) with a mean age of 24. Results showed improvement in the GAAS from moderate to mild, a decrease in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, and a reduction in side effects during the succeeding visits in both groups.

5% dapsone gel and 5% BPO were both efficacious and safe for mild to moderate acne management.

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with minimally invasive scar release in the treatment of post-acne atrophic scars. Methods: A retrospectively observational study was conducted. From January to June 2021, 60 patients with grade 3 and 4 post-acne atrophic scars who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to the adopted treatment methods, 30 patients treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with minimally invasive scar release were included in combined treatment group (19 males and 11 females, aged (26±4) years), and 30 patients treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser alone were included in laser alone group (18 males and 12 females, aged (25±6) years). All the patients received the treatment once every two months, totally 3 times. Before the first treatment and 2 months after the last treatment, the scars were assessed by échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA). In 2 months after the last treatment, the curative effect was evaluated and the total effective rate was calculated according to the ECCA score. The adverse reactions of patients during the treatment were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact probability test. Results: Before the first treatment, the ECCA scores of patients in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). In 2 months after the last treatment, the ECCA scores of patients in combined treatment group were significantly lower than those of laser alone group (Z=-2.89, P<0.05). The ECCA scores of patients in combined treatment group and laser alone group in 2 months after the last treatment were both significantly lower than those before the first treatment (with Z values of -4.81 and -4.79, respectively, P<0.05). In 2 months after the last treatment, the treatment in laser alone group cured the scars in 2 patients, and were markedly effective in 13 patients, effective in 7 patients, and ineffective in 8 patients; the treatment in combined treatment group cured the scars in 4 patients, and were markedly effective in 22 patients, effective in 3 patients, and ineffective in one patients. The total effective rate of scar treatment in combined treatment group (96.67%, 29/30) was significantly higher than 73.33% (22/30) in laser alone group (P<0.05). During treatment, in combined treatment group, 3 patients had pain, one patient had redness and swelling, and one patient had pigmentation. In laser alone group, one patient had pain, and 2 patients had pigmentation. No infection occurred in the wounds of all the patients in the two groups. Conclusions: Compared with fractional carbon dioxide laser alone, fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with minimally invasive scar release for post-acne atrophic scars can result in a higher total effective rate, with simple operation and good effect, so it is worthy of clinical application.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Cicatrix/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Lasers, Gas/therapeutic use* ; Acne Vulgaris ; Atrophy ; Pain ; Carbon Dioxide

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is non-life-threatening but may cause significant psychological morbidity regardless of severity. An extreme case of this is depicted in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is often an undiagnosed condition presenting with excessive preoccupation of perceived flaws not observable by others. With the increasing popularity of social media throughout the years, there has been budding researches exploring its psychological implications, particularly on “selfies” and its possible association with self-image and body dysmorphia. Objectives: To compare body dysmorphic symptoms and selfie behavior between patients with mild AV versus those without AV. Methods This is a single-center, cross-sectional study among patients with mild AV and those without AV seen through a teledermatology platform of a tertiary hospital from April to June 2022. Results: A total of 207 patients were included in this study – 107 patients with mild AV and 100 patients without AV. A significantly higher proportion of BDD symptoms was seen in patients with mild AV using either Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire-Dermatology Version (BDDQ-DV) (31%) and Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) (14%). No significant difference was noted in terms of selfie behavior between the groups. Conclusions BDD symptoms were significantly more prevalent in patients who have mild AV despite having lesions that are negligible and clinically not apparent. This highlights the importance of dermatologists’ knowledge that BDD may cause distress and impairment and should be taken into consideration in terms of management. Interestingly, selfie behavior of patients with mild AV and without AV had no significant difference.
Acne Vulgaris ; Social Media