Acne Vulgaris Triggering Factors in Females at Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common disease in teenagers. It is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous units. Objective: To see the effect of different factors like age, skin type, diet, cosmetics, family history and pornographic material on acne. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in the Dermatology Department of Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital, Nangarhar from August 2021 to March 2021. The study consisted on a sample of 120 subjects including 60 cases of acne and 60 controls. The data was entered in a structured close-ended questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to see the effect of different factors on acne. Results: Age was below 20 years in 68 percent of patients and 38% of controls. Amongst patients 12% and amongst controls 7% were married. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.001), odds ratio (0.288), Confidence interval (0.136–0.612) siblings history (p = 0.007), odds ratio (2.786), confidence interval (1.329–5.841), skin type (p = 0.000), dry skin (p = 0.173), odds ratio (0.449), confidence interval (0.142–1.422), oily skin (p = 0.002), odds ratio (3.925), confidence interval (1.684 9.146), cola drinks (p = 0.048), daily drinks (p = 0.023), odds ratio (2.975), confidence interval (1.159–7.636), cosmetic used (p = 0.004), odds ratio (4.219), confidence interval (1.577–11.285) and frequency of application of cosmetics (p = 0.010), odds ratio (3.509), confidence interval (1.347–9.1)had significant effect on acne. Conclusion: Acne is a more common disease in teenagers; age greater than twenty plays a protective role against acne. Carbonated drinks, positive sibling history, cosmetic treatment and frequent use of cosmetics have a significant relationship with acne. It is more common in oily skin than dry and normal skin