Quality of life in young adults with acne: Results of a cross-sectional study.

Background: The impact of acne on quality of life (QoL) may vary between patients from different age groups. There are limited data in the literature on QoL of young adults with acne and acne scars.

Objectives: To assess the QoL of young adults (age 18 to 25) with acne by using dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and Cardiff acne disability index (CADI), to assess the scores of individual items on DLQI and CADI, and to compare the two scales.

Methods: In this cross-sectional questionnaire study of 1392 subjects with acne, each subject completed two questionnaires: DLQI and CADI. Mean values of DLQI and CADI, and those of individual items on DLQI and CADI were calculated; t-test was used for testing mean values and Spearman's rho coefficient for correlation between two questionnaires.

Results: Mean DLQI (4.50) and CADI (3.60) scores were low. However, scores were significantly higher in females and in those with acne scars. "Feelings of embarrassment" and "interference with social activities" scored significantly higher for females across both questionnaires. There was no correlation between severity (as well as duration) of acne and HRQoL scores. Spearman's rho coefficient of correlation between DLQI and CADI was 0.71.

Conclusions: Acne impaired the QoL of young adults, acne scars more so. Females felt worse about their appearance with greater embarrassment and impaired social activities. QoL scores seem to depend on patients' perceptions, which may depend on factors other than objective severity of acne. We found good correlation between the two scales.