Acne accounts for an almost 2.5-fold higher proportion of dermatology visits among adult females compared to adult males in the United States: A study of the national ambulatory medical care survey from 2002–2016

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris affects a significant number of females into adulthood. Juvenile acne and adult acne have different presentations and potentially distinctive pathogeneses. However, patterns in treatments specifically related to the adult female population have previously not been studied. METHODS: Retrospective database analysis of healthcare utilization and medications prescribed for acne using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data from 2002–2016 was performed. RESULTS: After age 20, acne accounted for an almost 2.5-fold higher proportion of dermatology visits among females compared to males (10.1% vs. 4.1%, P < 0.001). Tetracycline-class antibiotics were the most prescribed therapy within all age groups of females between 2002–2016. However, there was also a substantial rise in prescriptions of spironolactone beginning in 2012. CONCLUSION: A significantly greater proportion of dermatology visits by adult females are for acne in comparison to adult males. Tetracycline-class antibiotics remain the most prescribed therapy in adult age groups despite a potentially different pathogenesis of adult acne. Therefore, there is a need for further studies comparing the effectiveness of therapies specifically for adult female acne.