The association of depression, loneliness and internet addiction levels in patients with acne vulgaris

Cultural Dimensions Moderate the Association between Loneliness and Mental Health during Adolescence and Younger Adulthood: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cultural factors, such as country or continent, influence the relationship between loneliness and mental health. However, less is known about how cultural dimensions moderate this relationship during adolescence and younger adulthood, even if these dimensions manifest as country or continent differences. This study aims to examine the potential influence of Hofstede's cultural dimensions on this relationship using a three-level meta-analysis approach. A total of 292 studies with 291,946 participants aged 10 to 24 were included in this study. The results indicate that cultural dimensions, such as individualism vs. collectivism, indulgence vs. restraint, power distance, and long-term vs. short-term orientation, moderated the associations between loneliness and social anxiety, stress, Internet overuse, and negative affect. The association between loneliness and mental health was not moderated by cultural dimensions, such as masculinity and uncertainty avoidance. These findings suggest that culture's influence on the association between loneliness and mental health is based on a domain-specific mechanism.

Relationship between loneliness and internet addiction: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In the digital age, the Internet has become integrated into all aspects of people's work, study, entertainment, and other activities, leading to a dramatic increase in the frequency of Internet use. However, excessive Internet use has negative effects on the body, psychology, and many other aspects. This study aims to systematically analyze the research findings on the relationship between loneliness and Internet addiction to obtain a more objective, comprehensive effect size.

METHODS

This study employed a comprehensive meta-analysis of empirical research conducted over the past two decades to investigate the relationship between loneliness and Internet addiction, with a focus on the moderating variables influencing this relationship. This meta-analysis adopted a unique approach by categorizing moderating variables into two distinct groups: the objective characteristics of research subjects and the subjective characteristics of researchers. It sheds light on the multifaceted factors that influence the relationship between loneliness and Internet addiction.

RESULTS

A literature search in web of science yielded 32 independent effect sizes involving 35,623 subjects. Heterogeneity testing indicated that a random effects model was appropriate. A funnel plot and Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation test revealed no publication bias in this meta-analysis. Following the effect size test, it was evident that loneliness was significantly and positively correlated with Internet addiction (r = 0.291, p < 0.001). The moderating effect analysis showed that objective characteristics significantly affected the relationship. However, subjective characteristics did not affect the relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed a moderately positive correlation between loneliness and Internet addiction. Moreover, this correlation's strength was found to be influenced by various factors, including gender, age, grade, and the region of the subjects. However, it was not affected by variables such as the measurement tool, research design, or research year (whether before or after COVID-19).

Impact of Acne Vulgaris and Vitiligo on Quality of Life and Self-Esteem in the Patient Population of Madinah, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris and vitiligo are skin disorders that can have a negative impact on a person's self-esteem and quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study is to look into the impact of acne and vitiligo on the self-esteem and QoL of the patient population in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 171 Saudi adults (141 individuals with acne vulgaris (9.4%) and 30 with vitiligo (1.5%) between the ages of 16 and 35 was conducted in Madinah. A self-reported questionnaire with four domains was used: socio-demographic data, lifestyle and coexisting pathologic factors or diseases, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale, and the dermatology life quality index (DLQI).

RESULTS

Acne patients had a mean total score of 20.3 on the self-esteem scale, with 5% (n = 7) having low self-esteem, 48.2% (n = 68) having medium self-esteem, and 46.8% (n = 66) having high self-esteem. Females had higher self-esteem (75.29) than males (56.95). The mean DLQI score for acne patients was 5.4, with 30.5% (n = 47) unaffected, 29.1% (n = 45) mildly affected, 23.4% (n = 35) moderately affected, 5.6% (n = 10) severely affected, and 1.4% (n = 4) severely affected. Vitiligo patients had a mean self-esteem scale score of 13.7, with 63.3% (n = 19) having low self-esteem, 30% (n = 9) having medium self-esteem, and 6.7% (n = 2) having high self-esteem. The mean DLQI was 15.2, with 6.7% (n = 2) reporting that vitiligo had no effect on their lives, 10% (n = 3) reporting a moderate effect, 66.7% (n = 20) reporting a severe effect, and 16.7% (n = 5) reporting a very severe effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research confirms that acne vulgaris and vitiligo have a negative impact on self-esteem and quality of life. Along with medical treatment, effective treatment and psychological improvement of the patient should be prioritized.

Acne vulgaris and the most popular and new cosmetological treatments

INTRODUCTION

Acne vulgaris is a disease that has an enormous impact on appearance of the skin of the patients and also on their quality of life. Long-term dermatological treatment, which often lasts years, and disease relapses contribute to the occurrence of low self-esteem and depression. Acne is one of the 10 most common diseases in the world and the most common inflammatory skin disease. Many methods of dermatological treatment that bring very good results are available. However, educating people with acne on how to take care of their skin on a daily basis to minimize the bleak effects of the disease is an extremely important element. Contemporary cosmetology creates an environment for not only taking care of the skin at home, but also develops in-office treatments with exfoliation of the dead epidermis as an extremely important and priority part of treatment. The cosmetologist can propose both chemical and apparatus methods, which are selected individually for each client.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to provide information about cosmetological treatment used in acne vulgaris.

METHODS

In this article, we reviewed the published literature, article published in peer-reviewed journals.

RESULTS

There are many methods that work well in the case of acne skin care, more and more new treatments appear on the cosmetological market.

CONCLUSION

Acne skin care in beauty parlor is very important element.

Evaluation of Psychiatric Comorbidities and Quality of Life As Well As Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Concentrations Among Patients Suffering From Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Acne vulgaris usually affects the dermal layer of the skin and is revealed frequently in young adulthood and adolescence. It has serious psychosocial comorbidities. We conducted the present systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the association of acne vulgaris with psychiatric comorbidities and quality of life as well as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published articles were carried out following the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We investigated diverse databases: Web of Science, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL to search for articles reporting the prevalence of psychosocial comorbidities among patients with acne vulgaris from database inception through June 2022. The outcomes were depression, anxiety, symptom checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), quality of life, self-esteem, stress, loneliness, and BDNF concentrations. Of 3647 articles identified, 23 met the inclusion criteria. Patients with acne vulgaris have a significantly higher level of anxiety, depression, and stress (P<0.05). Yet, the reported findings of the SCL-90-R, self-esteem, loneliness, and BDNF scores among patients suffering from acne vulgaris were variable and did not differ significantly compared to healthy participants (P>0.05), hampering any conclusive findings on absolute prevalence. Subgroup analysis and comparison showed that heterogeneity between studies was likely due to factors, including country, study design, and assessment tools. This comprehensive review and meta-analysis revealed that anxiety, depression, and stress are significantly more frequent among patients suffering from acne vulgaris. These findings confirm that acne vulgaris has both psychiatric and medical characteristics and requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Efficacy of Hydrogen Purification and Cosmetic Acids in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Report

Acne and skin lesions that appear in its course deteriorate the quality of life of patients, cause depression and the emergence of suicidal thoughts. Cosmetic treatments can have a positive effect on improving skin condition by cleaning up skin eruptions, thus improving the well-being of affected people. Hydrogen purification is a treatment that uses alkaline water generated by a device, which reduces sebum from the surface of the epidermis. This is a novel treatment that has recently been introduced to beauty salons. On the other hand, cosmetic acids have been used for many years for treating people with acne vulgaris and give spectacular results in terms of improving the skin condition. In this study, skin condition was evaluated with a Derma Unit SSC 3 device. The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to check acne severity. Twenty-four women aged 19-21 years (M = 20.13, SD = 0.80) diagnosed with mild acne vulgaris and a high sebum level participated in the study. Group A underwent a hydrogen purification treatment using an H2jet manipulator, which ejected alkaline water from the manipulator under pressure. Group B underwent a hydrogen purification treatment with the use of a phytic, pyruvic, lactic and ferulic acids at 40% mixture (pH 1.4). A series of four treatments was performed at 14-day intervals in both groups. Skin parameters were measured before and 30 days after the series of treatment. Very good results were obtained in both groups. The skin eruptions in patients were reduced and we also observed lower amounts of sebum on the surface of the epidermis, and an improvement in skin hydration. However, in group B, the results were better than in group A. The study showed that the synergy of the treatments produced much better effects than those obtained by completing the hydrogen purification treatment alone.

The Effect of Depression on Treatment Adherence Among a Sample of Saudi Patients Diagnosed with Acne Vulgaris

Purpose

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder of the skin and is the most common dermatological disease, affecting all ages and races. Acne is known to be associated with depression. This study aimed to assess the impact of depression on patient adherence to acne vulgaris treatment using The Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT).

Patients and Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 204 patients with acne using four scales (depression, satisfaction, intention to adhere to acne medication, and control for confirmation). ECT scales were used to assess patient satisfaction and intention to adhere to medication. Demographic data were also collected, and descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 204 questionnaires were completed. The mean age of the respondents was 25 ± 7.2. The majority were female; 167 (83.50%). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated a negative association between depression (β= −0.121, p = 0.033; 95% CI, −0.232 to −0.009) and satisfaction, when holding other variables constant, and the expected medication effect (confirmation) had a positive association with satisfaction (β= 0.334, p< 0.001; 95% CI, 0.202 to 0.466), keeping all other factors constant. Male sex was negatively associated with satisfaction (β= −2.388, p= 0.015; 95% CI −4.303 to −0.473), while keeping all other covariate sconstant. Residence in central provinces was a significant predictor of satisfaction (β= 2.562, p= 0.004; 95% CI, 0.832 to 4.292), when holding other factors constant. After conducting a simple linear regression, a positive significant association was found between adherence and satisfaction (β = 0.1713; 95% CI, 0.068 to 0.274).

Conclusion

Adherence is the cornerstone for a successful treatment plan and prevention of relapse or treatment failure, and satisfaction is an essential indicator for improving health policies and implementing social service provisions.

Topical ALA-Photodynamic Therapy Combined with Acne Debridement and Meticulous Nursing for the Treatment of Moderate-Severe Acne in Adolescent Patients

Objective

The present study aims to explore the effect of acne debridement + meticulous nursing on 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in adolescent patients with moderate–severe acne.

Methods

A total of 60 adolescent patients with moderate–severe acne who were admitted to our plastic surgery outpatient clinic between January 2018 and January 2020 were selected as the subjects of the present retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups: the observation group and the control group (n = 30, each). Patients in the control group were treated with standardized ALA-PDT and conventional nursing, while patients in the observation group were treated with ALA-PDT and acne debridement + meticulous nursing intervention. The treatment’s therapeutic effect, adverse reaction incidence, and patient satisfaction 6 months after treatment were compared between the two groups.

Results

The acne debridement + meticulous nursing effectiveness was 86.7% in the observation group and 60% in the control group, and the adverse reaction incidence was 20% in the observation group and 46.7% in the control group. There existed statistically significant differences in the above-stated indicators between the two groups (p < 0.05). The difference in the visual analogue scores (VASs) for pain, which were measured immediately after the operations, between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05); however, the respective VAS differences between the two groups at 30 min and 60 min after the operation were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction between the two groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In adolescent patients with ALA-PDT-treated moderate–severe acne, the application of acne debridement + meticulous nursing could improve the clinical treatment efficacy and patient comfort as well as reduce the adverse reaction incidence. For these reasons, the treatment method could be worth promoting in clinical practice.

Assessment of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Acne Vulgaris in Medina: A Case-Control Study

Purpose

Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disease in adolescents that show high prevalence rates of anxiety and depression that may lead to consequences that affect quality of life. This study aimed to assess and compare anxiety and depression in patients with acne and a control group and to determine their correlation with other demographic data.

Patients and Methods

This was a case-control study conducted in 2019 for 3 months at the derma-tology department of Ohud Hospital and two other private clinics in the Medina region of Saudi Arabia. For this study, 296 consecutive patients in the age group of 12 to 60 years who were diagnosed as having acne vulgaris were enrolled and matched with a control group. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, including sociodemographic data and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores.

Results

We found no significant differences between the two groups regarding sex, age group, nationality, and educational level, but found a significant difference in marital status (p < 0.001). Most (62.5%) of the acne cases were moderate in severity. The overall anxiety score in the acne group was 7.68 ± 4.90, with a significant difference with the control group (p = 0.031), whereas the anxiety level and depression score showed no significant difference (p = 0.082 and p = 0.656, respectively). Moreover, a strong correlation was found between anxiety and depression in the acne group (r = 0.732, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A positive correlation was found between the anxiety and depression scores in the patients with acne, which was not related to age group or educational level. However, the anxiety scores of the patients with acne showed a significant relationship with sex.

Treatment challenges in adult female acne and future directions

Introduction: Acne is a chronic, inflammatory, and immune-mediated disease of the pilosebaceous unit, highly prevalent in adolescents. However, an increasing number of adults over 25 years old with facial acne, particularly women, have been observed. It is considered a different disease when compared to acne vulgaris. Face is the mainly involved area with inflammatory lesions and more sensitive skin, pointing out the need of a holistic approach.Areas covered: We performed a comprehensive literature search on PubMed database, up to January 2021, regarding adult female acne. We synthesized data about pathogenesis; differences compared to acne vulgaris; and treatment, with focus in the management challenges and perspectives.Expert opinion: It is essential to value the negative impact on quality of life of adult female acne, independently of severity. The disease has prolonged evolution, and patient might be resilient once the improvement, regardless of the treatment option, will just be noticeable after 3 months. Aggravating factors should be clearly discussed, such as the need of changing many habits, especially lesions manipulation. The therapeutic regimen includes make-up and tailored skin care (considering proneness to sensitivity), while anti-acne drugs should be chosen in accordance with desire to be pregnant, presence of pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Skincare in Social Media: Analyzing Prominent Themes in Online Dermatologic Discussions

Introduction: As the size and influence of online dermatologic communities have developed significantly in recent years, literature concerning the relationship between social media and dermatology grows more important. One community of interest is r/SkincareAddiction, a forum of over 1.2 million members on Reddit that serves as both a support group and discussion aggregator sourcing information from multiple social media platforms.

Methods: This study reports on the qualitative analysis of 300 highly engaged posts to identify prominent themes in online dermatologic discussions and determine the extent of multiplatform interaction between Reddit and other dermatology-relevant social networks.

Results: Results of an inductive analysis indicate discussions place an emphasis on communicating advice and improving general wellbeing, comprising 71% of measured posts. However, a large portion of this counsel lacks evidence and pseudoscientific recommendations are often accepted as factual. Additionally, 31% of entries were drawn from alternative social media sites.

Conclusion: Assessing the prevalent points of discussion in dermatology-relevant communities can inform clinical practice and reveal alternative methods to advance the delivery of care. As patients increasingly seek health advice and support online, developing digital literacy in common dermatologic trends offers a unique opportunity to improve communication, disseminate evidence-based counsel, and combat misinformation in both clinical and online settings.

Clascoterone cream (1%) topical androgen receptor inhibitor for the treatment of acne in patients 12 years and older

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy of clascoterone cream was demonstrated in two phase three vehicle-controlled clinical trials that enrolled over 1,400 subjects. Its safety profile allowed it to be approved for treating patients as young as 12 years old. During clinical trials, the occurrence of local skin reactions (edema, erythema, pruritus, dryness) was similar to treatment with vehicle alone.

AREAS COVERED

All publications describing the clinical development of clascoterone cream (cortexolone 17α-propionate) are reviewed and discussed in relation to with existing topical and systemic therapies for acne vulgaris.

EXPERT OPINION

Clascoterone 1% cream is a novel first-in-class topical androgen receptor inhibitor for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Topical clascoterone 1% cream represents the first new type of therapy for acne treatment in almost 40 years and may become first-line therapy.