A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN PATIENTS  WITH ACNE VULGARIS

S. Srivastava; Manjeet S. Bhatia; P.  Das; S. N.  Bhattacharya

S. Srivastava MD, Department of Psychiatry, U.C.M.S. and G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi-110095, India.
Manjeet S. Bhatia MD, D-1 Naraina vihar, New Delhi-110028, India.
P. Das MBBS, U.C.M.S. and G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi-110095, India.
S. N. Bhattacharya MD, Department of Dermatology, U.C.M.S. and G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi-110095, India.

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of the study were: (i) To assess the psychiatric morbidity and quality of life of patients with acne vulgaris.(ii) to evaluate the relationship between acne severity, anxiety, depression and disease specific quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris.
Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of study: The study was conducted in the psychiatry outpatient department of a teaching medical institution in New Delhi, India during January to September 2006.
Subjects and Methods: Forty six patients of Acne vulgaris were studied in dermatology department of general hospital jointly by psychiatrists and dermatologists. Acne severity was graded by dermatologists using Global Acne Grading System, Psychiatric morbidity and Quality of life were assessed by psychiatrists. All patients were administered a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (12 item), a 17 item HAM-D Scale, a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Dermatology specific quality of life (DSQL) Scale.
Results: Showed existence of clinically significant depression in 39.1% and anxiety in 4.35%. There were statistically significant differences between males and females with respect to GHQ but not with HAM-D and HAM-A. There was positive correlation between mean GHQ scores and perceived severity (r =0.327, p =0.02). We found no correlation between acne grading and HAM-D, HAM-A or DSQL.
Conclusion: The present study has clearly depicted higher psychiatric morbidity in patients with acne vulgaris. We found no correlation between disease severity, anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris. Patients’ perception of their disease might be important consideration in the evaluation and treatment of acne vulgaris.

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