PREVALENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN ACNE PATIENTS

Authors

  • MOHAMMAD ZUBAIR KHAN
  • ABIDA NAEEM
  • KHALID A MUFTI

Abstract

Background: Acne is the most common of all skin diseases, the condition affects young people at the time when theyare undergoing maximum social and physical change and can produce significant psychological scarring. This studywas done to determine the Mental Health problem in Patients suffering from acne and to determine significantdifference of mental health problems in acne patients in comparison to seborrheic dermatitis patients as a controlgroup. Methods: 50 subjects with acne and 50 with seborrheic skin problems (13-25 yrs age) were included in thisstudy through Psychiatry OPD of Lady Reading Hospital. Peshawar. The period of study was from March 1998 toAugust 1998. The patients were assessed for psychiatric problems by using WHO Guide to mental health in primarycare ICD 10-chapter V primary care. The statistical significance was determined by chi square. Results: The datashows that out of 50 acne patients 19 (38%) were suffering from Depression, with a female predominance. The controlgroup (seborrheic) presented lower prevalence of Depression i.e. 57% in females. Similarly, Anxiety problem inparticular social anxiety were overall more in acne group (34%) as compared to seborrhea group (10%). A statisticallysignificant difference was observed between the two groups indicating that depression and social anxiety was more inthe acne group. A consistent finding in the study over six months depicted the difference between gender i.e. morefemales presenting with depression. Total Depressed Patients were 19, while total with suicidal Thoughts were 4(21%). Conclusion: The importance of this study is to highlight depression among such patients.

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