Prevalence of Acne and Its Impact on Quality of Life, Social Appearance Anxiety and Treatment Practices Among Young Adults

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition among young adults. It can cause psychosocial consequences that go beyond its physical effects. AIMS: This study aims to assess acne prevalence and its impact on quality of life, social appearance anxiety, and treatment practices among university students in northern Bangladesh. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1067 students to assess acne prevalence and severity (Global Acne Grading System, GAGS). Quality of life, social appearance anxiety, and psychological distress were measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and familial factors were also evaluated. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were used to identify significant associations and predictors. RESULTS: Acne was reported by 47.6% of participants. Among those affected (n = 465), 47.96% had mild acne, 44.95% had moderate acne, 6.02% had severe acne, and 1.08% had very severe acne. Increasing acne severity was significantly associated with poorer quality of life (p < 0.001) and higher social appearance anxiety (p = 0.013). Logistic regression identified several independent predictors of acne, including gender (p = 0.008), residence (p ≤ 0.033), middle-income status (p = 0.040), belief that diet affects acne (p < 0.001), smoking (p = 0.023), alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), and family history of acne (p < 0.001). Higher DLQI scores were also significantly associated with acne (p = 0.002), whereas SAAS and HADS were not independently associated. Among affected individuals, 33.7% consulted a dermatologist, while others relied on self-medication (29.9%), home remedies (30.8%), or combined approaches (23.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Acne vulgaris is highly prevalent among young adults in northern Bangladesh and substantially impacts quality of life and social appearance. Its development involves a multifactorial interplay of genetic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors, emphasizing the need for evidence-based management, lifestyle interventions, and psychosocial support in student health programs. Future research should examine causal pathways and guide comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies.