Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

DOI

10.1159/000503711

Publication Title

Medical Principles & Practice

Volume

29

Issue

4

Pages

310-317

Abstract

Objectives: The prevalence of acne vulgaris (AV) among adolescents in Kuwait has remained mostly unknown. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of AV and its predictors among adolescents in Kuwait.

Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 714 participants who were randomly selected from public schools using multistage cluster random sampling. The presence or absence of AV, as well as severity of AV, were assessed using the Global Acne Grading Scale. Data on risk factors and potential confounders were collected from the parents through a self-administered questionnaire, and from the adolescents by face-to-face interview. Weight and height were measured in a standardized manner.

Results: Of 714 participants, 320 (44.8%; 95% CI 41.1–48.6%) self-reported AV. By clinical examination, AV was found among 479 (67.1%; 95% CI 63.5–70.5%) participants. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with AV in multivariable analysis were age, gender, nationality, and BMI categories. Females compared to males (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] 1.16 [95% CI 1.05–1.25]; p = 0.006) and overweight or obese adolescents compared to normal weight (APR 1.15 [95% CI 1.02–1.26] and 1.14 [95% CI 1.02–1.23], respectively; p = 0.026) were more likely to have AV. None of the food items studied showed an association with AV in multivariable analysis.

Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported AV seems to be lower than that reported in other settings, while the prevalence of AV by clinical examination resembles that reported in many other countries. BMI was the only modifiable risk factor associated with AV in multivariable analysis, and none of the food items studied was related to the presence or absence of AV in multivariable analysis.

Comments

© 2019 The Authors.

This is an Open Access article licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-4.0 International License (CC BY-NC), applicable to the online version of the article only.

Original Publication Citation

AlKhabbaz, M., Al-Taiar, A., Saeed, M., Al-Sabah, R., & Albatineh, Ahmed N. (2020). Predictors of Acne Vulgaris among Adolescents in Kuwait. Medical Principles & Practice, 29(4), 310-317. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503711

ORCID

0000-0001-7421-3381 (Al-Taiar)

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