Quality of life in Montenegrin pupils with acne

BACKGROUND: Acne is a common skin disease that can affect a person’s quality of life (QoL), self-esteem, and mood in an adverse manner. The aim of the current study was to assess QoL among Montenegrin pupils with acne. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted over October and November 2020 in four randomly selected secondary schools in Podgorica, Montenegro. All 500 pupils were asked to fill in a short questionnaire which included questions on age, sex, presence of acne, and for those with acne their duration and location, visits to doctors, presence of any other coexisting skin disease, and family history of acne. Only pupils who self-reported acne were asked to complete the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI). RESULTS: Self reported acne were presented in 49.8% (249/500) of all pupils. The mean CDLQI score of the total sample was 4.27 ± 5.13. Overall, the CDLQI domains that were most affected by acne were symptoms and feelings (mean score 1.49 ± 1.43), leisure (mean score 0.94 ± 1.72), and treatment (0.66 ± 0.79). The mean total CADI score was 3.53 ± 3.11 which was higher in girls (4.07 ± 3.11) than in boys (2.90 ± 3.00). There was good correlation between the two questionnaires (Rho = 0.76; P < 0.01). According to multiple linear regressions, higher overall CDLQI score was found in pupils with acne who reported other skin diseases, while girls, pupils who reported both acne on face and back, and who had any concomitant skin disease had higher CADI total score. CONCLUSIONS: Acne affects QoL of young adolescents in Montenegro with greater impact in girls. Our findings should point out the importance of timely diagnosis, treatment, and education of adolescents with acne.