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PERCEPTION OF SAUDI POPULATION ABOUT ACNE VULGARIS IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA.

Abdul Rahman Elemam, Seba Almutairi, Ibrahim Algosair, Maram Alenzi, Nouf Alqahtani, Tariq Alharbi, Mariam Suhluli, Sami Fatehi Abdalla Billal

Introduction: Acne Vulgaris (AV) is a common skin condition which affects people mostly at adolescent’s age in both genders of all races. The underlying pathogenesis addressed by blockage of the pilosebaceous canals due to increase sebum production, hyperkeratinization of the hair follicles, inflammatory oedema induced either by chemical irritation due to scape of follicle contents into the dermis or hyperproliferation of Cutibacterium acnes. The affection of self-steaming has been accounted as one of the major impact of AV on AV patients which in many cases related directly to the severity of AV. Furthermore, the severity of AV will affect the type and compliance of the patient to the treatment which in the first place is a direct reflection of how the patient percepts his Acne. Aim: Evaluation of perception and knowledge of the Saudi population in Riyadh about AV. Methods: This is a cross-sectional community-based study that was conducted from March to July 2018. Included all patients with any type of AV that their ages were 18 years or more. After participants signed the informed written consent, they filled preformed questionnaire consisted of the personal data, perception about the causes and effects of acne on the affected individuals. The perceptive variables were illustrated as percentages. The questionnaire was distributed randomly. Results: 180 participants were enrolled with a response rate of 95.2%, females were 70.6% and 29.4were males. 75% of participants believe that the hereditary causes have no role in the acne development, while 77% of them believe that stress has a major role in causing the acne. Also, when they have been asked about the diet, 73.9% of them think that diet can attribute in acne formation. A 53 % of them believe that acne could be age-related. Oily skin participated in the development of AV, 81.1% agreed. A 45% per cent of the participants have no idea whether the bacterial infection has a role in causing the acne and same percentage linked AV development with facial hygiene. 61% don’t tie between corticosteroid and 50% of participants think cosmetic has a role in AV development. A 75% of the participants believe that acne results in major facial disfiguring. Psychological impacts ranging from acute depression to frank psychiatric illness. Conclusion: Despite the increased availability of databases and other sources of information about acne, population awareness and perception about acne need more improvements and corrections

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