Although acne vulgaris (AV) is a prevalent multifactorial inflammatory skin condition, few studies were performed in multi-ethnic populations.
To study the prevalence and determinants for AV in a multi-ethnic study at the start of puberty.
This cross-sectional study is embedded in Generation R, a population-based prospective study from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 3D facial photos at the center visit in 2016-2019 (=∼13 years old) were used to grade AV severity using the Global Evaluation of Acne Severity (GEA). Analyses were stratified by sex and explored through chi square tests and multivariable ordinal logistic regression.
4561 children (51% girls) with median age of 13.5 (IQR 13.3-13.6) were included. The visible AV prevalence (GEA 2-5) for girls vs. boys was 62% vs. 45% and moderate-severe AV (GEA 3-5) 14% vs. 9%. Higher puberty stages (adjusted ORs: 1.38(1.20-1.59) and 2.16(1.86-2.51) for girls and boys) and darker skin colors V and VI (adjusted ORs: 1.90(1.17-3.08) and 2.43(1.67-3.56)) were predictors for both sexes, being overweight for boys (adjusted OR: 1.58(1.15-2.17)) LIMITATIONS: Cross sectional design.
AV prevalence was high at age of 13 and related to puberty status, darker skin color and weight status.
Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.
