The epidemiology of acne vulgaris in a multiethnic adolescent population from Rotterdam, the Netherlands: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 90; no. 3; pp. 552 - 560
• Main Authors: Witkam, Willemijn C.A.M., Dal Belo, Susi E., Pourhamidi, Sayeh, Raynaud, Edouard, Moreau, Magali, Aguilar, Luc, Jansen, Pauline W., Nijsten, Tamar E.C., Pardo, Luba M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-03-2024
• Subjects: acne vulgaris; clinical research; epidemiology; ethnicity; family medicine; general dermatology; medical dermatology; multiethnic; pediatrics; skin color; GEA; skin color; OR; ethnicity; medical dermatology; acne vulgaris; epidemiology; clinical research; pediatrics; family medicine; general dermatology; multiethnic; BMI
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.10.062

Although acne is a prevalent multifactorial inflammatory skin condition, few studies were performed in multiethnic populations.
To study the prevalence and determinants of acne in a multiethnic study at the start of puberty.
This cross-sectional study is embedded in Generation R, a population-based prospective study from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Three-dimensional facial photos at the center visit in 2016-2019 (of ∼13-year-olds) were used to grade acne severity using the Global Evaluation of the Acne Severity (GEA). Analyses were stratified by biological sex and explored through chi-square tests and multivariable ordinal logistic regression.
A total of 4561 children (51% girls) with a median age of 13.5 (IQR 13.3-13.6) were included. The visible acne prevalence (GEA 2-5) for girls vs boys was 62% vs 45% and moderate-to-severe acne (GEA 3-5) 14% vs 9%. Higher puberty stages (adjusted odds ratios: 1.38 [1.20-1.59] and 2.16 [1.86-2.51] for girls and boys, respectively) and darker skin colors V and VI (adjusted odds ratios: 1.90 [1.17-3.08] and 2.43 [1.67-3.56]) were associated with more severe acne in both sexes, and being overweight in boys (adjusted odds ratio: 1.58 [1.15-2.17]).
Cross-sectional design.
Acne prevalence was high at the age of 13 years and was associated with advanced puberty, darker skin color, and weight status.