PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSION AMONG ACNE PATIENTS ATTENDING DERMATOLOGY CLINIC IN HOSPITALS OF MINISTRY OF HEALTH, TAIF CITY, SAUDI ARABIA, 2021

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disease with a prevalence reaching up to 80% in the second and third decades of life. The psychological impact of acne on patients is significant. The co-existence of acne and depression is a complex issue and, in adolescence, can be associated with developmental outcomes of body image, socialization and sexuality. Since lack of previous literature in the province, this study aims to study the possible association between acne vulgaris and depression and factors affecting that association in Taif, KSA. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. All acne patients attended dermatology outpatient clinics in the two hospitals (King Abdulaziz specialized and King Faisal) throughout the period of the study (January-March, 2021) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patients with concomitant dermatological disorder and/or psychiatric diseases were excluded from the study. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results and conclusion: The study included 230 subjects aged 18-43 years with mean (SD) age of 25.5 (6.0). Females comprised 61.3% of participants. The prevalence of depression (combining the last three severity groups) among subjects with acne vulgaris in Taif, KSA is 41.4%. The severity of acne was strongly associated to the severity of depression, as well as the type of acne treatment was linked with depression severity, with participants receiving oral, or oral and topical treatment having more severe depression types than those who did not get treatment