Pattern and Profile of Patients with Acne Vulgaris

The study, conducted over five months in 2015, included 4362 patients, of whom 545 (12.5%) were diagnosed with acne vulgaris. The majority of these patients were male (male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1) and aged between 16-20 years. Acne primarily affected the face and closed comedones were the most common type of lesion. Severity varied, with 41.5% of patients having grade 2 acne and males generally experiencing more severe forms. A subset of female patients exhibited signs of androgenicity, such as hirsutism (14 patients) and irregular menstrual periods (11.1%). Seasonal exacerbation was reported, with 28.4% experiencing worsening in summer. Dietary factors like fatty and fried foods were linked to acne aggravation in 18.9% of patients. Complications included post-acne hyperpigmentation (41.8%) and scarring (35.6%), with scarring more likely in those with a longer disease duration. The study highlighted the need for increased public and educational awareness to promote early and effective acne treatment.