Alexithymia in Adolescents with Acne: Association with Quality of Life Impairment and Stigmatization

Research on Depression in Children with Severe Bronchial Asthma: The Impact of Alexithymia and Somatic Symptoms

Objective

The prevalence of depression in children with severe bronchial asthma is a significant concern due to its potential effects on illness burden and quality of life. This cross-sectional study aims to explore the relationship between depression and severe bronchial asthma in children, focusing on the impact of alexithymia and somatic symptoms.

Methods

The study includes a total of 186 children aged 6-14 years diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma between 2008 and 2022 in our institute. Alexithymia was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 items (TAS-20). Somatization symptoms were measured using the children's somatization inventory (CSI). The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate depression. Spearman correlation analysis was used to describe the correlation between alexithymia, somatization symptoms, and depression.

Results

Children with bronchial asthma are found to have a significantly higher prevalence of depression, estimated to be around 16.67%. Approximately 98.92% of children exhibit varying degrees of somatic symptoms. Approximately 3.23% of children have alexithymia. The Spearman correlation analysis revealed that somatic symptoms and alexithymia were positive correlated with the depression. The correlation coefficients were 0.986 and 0.981 (P < .01), respectively. moreover, according to the results of multiple linear regression analysis, somatization symptoms and alexithymia significantly affects depression in children with severe bronchitis asthma (P < .01).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that children with severe bronchial asthma experience a higher prevalence of depression, impacting their overall quality of life. In addition, the presence of somatic symptoms is prevalent among these children, further contributing to the burden on their quality of life. Moreover, somatization symptoms and alexithymia have been identified as a significant factor positive affecting depression in this population. Addressing these factors in clinical interventions may be beneficial for improving the overall well-being in this population.

Acne influences life-changing decisions among young adults

BACKGROUND

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease predominantly affecting young people. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of acne in young adults on their major life-changing decisions (MLCD), paying attention to the relationships between major life-changing decisions profile (MLCDP) and Quality of Life (QoL), feeling of stigmatization and acceptance of the disease.

METHODS

The study was performed on 213 young people diagnosed with acne. A variety of questionnaires were employed to measure the clinical and psychological aspects of acne.

RESULTS

The majority of patients (N.=148, 73.3%) reported at least one MLCD that acne affected in any way (mean number 2.9±3.2, range: 0-18). The most common MLCD influenced by acne appeared to be a decision of changing eating habits (N.=132, 65.3%), followed by changing habits associated with smoking and alcohol (N.=85, 42.1%) and deciding to be more active physically (N.=61, 30.2%). The total score of MLCDP ranged from 0 to 33 points (mean 5.41±6.23 points). MLCDP total score significantly correlated with clinical acne severity (P=0.006), QoL (P<0.001), stigmatization (P<0.001) and illness acceptance (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Acne has an important impact on life-changing decisions in young adults. MLCDP correlates with impaired QoL, level of stigmatization and degree of illness acceptance. This should be taken into consideration in the holistic approach to acne patients.

Anhedonia in Acne Vulgaris: A Cross-Sectional Study of 104 Consecutive Acne Patients

Background

Anhedonia is defined as a reduced ability to experience or even a total loss of pleasure.

Purpose

This study was undertaken to evaluate anhedonia in 104 consecutive acne patients.

Material and Methods

Acne severity was assessed with Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), anhedonia was studied with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), Anticipatory and Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale (ACIPS) and Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS). Moreover, the quality of life (QoL) and stigmatization, as well as depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - HADS), were additionally evaluated.

Results

Anhedonia was found in 20.19% of acne patients and was more common (p=0.007) in males (34.29%) than in females (13.04%). Based on SHAPS, males with acne showed significantly (p=0.049) higher levels of anhedonia (2.39 ± 3.18 points) than acne females (1.26 ± 2.36 points). Anhedonia significantly correlated with the clinical acne severity (SHAPS: r=0.205, p=0.038 and ACIPS: r=-0.222, p=0.026). Although the intensity of anhedonia did not show any relationship with QoL and stigmatization assessments, there was a significant correlation between anhedonia and depressive symptoms (SHAPS: r=0.310, p<0.001; ACIPS: r=-0.364, p<0.001). Such dependency was not documented for anxiety.

Conclusion

Anhedonia seems to be a common phenomenon in acne and should be considered in the holistic approach to acne patients.

Females May Have Less Severe Acne, but They Suffer More: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study on Psychosocial Consequences in 104 Consecutive Polish Acne Patients

Acne is a common skin condition affecting both adolescents and adults, and it can profoundly impact patients' quality of life and mental well-being. This prospective cross-sectional study aims to explore the differences in psychosocial aspects between male and female acne patients in Poland. A total of 104 consecutive acne patients were included in this study. Clinical severity, patients' quality of life, stigmatization levels, and psychiatric disturbances were evaluated using the following instruments: Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), 6-Item Stigmatization Scale (6-ISS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This study found that female patients exhibited significantly less severe acne and experienced significantly decreased quality of life and increased levels of stigmatization. Furthermore, anxiety levels among female patients exceeded those observed in their male counterparts. Notably, no disparities in the severity of depression were observed between the two gender groups. Correlations were discerned among all psychosocial parameters in the entire study cohort and in the female subgroup, while such correlations were not uniformly observed among male participants. This study underscores the importance of considering psychosocial aspects and implementing routine measurements in the management of acne to improve patients' well-being.

Is acne vulgaris exacerbated during the military conflict in Ukraine? A self-reported cross-sectional prospective study

Introduction

Acne is a common disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Acne has been reported to be exacerbated by many factors, including psychoemotional stress.

Aim

This study was conducted to assess the clinical severity of acne among acne patients seeking dermatological help in Ukraine during the stressful military conflict and to assess the influence of war on acne exacerbation.

Material and methods

The study group consisted of 143 consecutive acne patients with the mean age of 21.24 ±6.37 years. The severity of acne was measured with the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) for acne. The self-reported acne exacerbation was studied with a single question "Have you observed exacerbation of acne during the war?".

Results

Almost 45% of acne patients suffered from moderate to severe acne. The remaining ones had very mild and mild acne. The severity of acne did not differ between the sexes. More than half of patients (50.7%) reported that psychoemotional stress related to the ongoing military conflict exacerbated their acne lesions. No difference was noted in the flare of acne between female and males.

Conclusions

Psychoemotional stress related to war activities exacerbates acne in more than half of patients. A prospective, multicentre study with the assessment of stress and acne flares by physicians will be of help confirming current results.

Prevalence, Intensity and Psychosocial Burden of Acne Itch: Two Different Cohorts Study

BACKGROUND

Chronic itch is a common symptom of inflammatory skin diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate the presence and intensity of itching in two different cohorts of acne subjects. Additionally, the influence of itching on the psychosocial status of acne individuals was assessed.

METHODS

Consecutive acne patients seeking dermatological advice and university students diagnosed with acne during dermatological screening were considered. The clinical and psychological aspects of acne were assessed using a variety of instruments.

RESULTS

About 40% of acne subjects in both cohorts reported itching. The mean WI-NRS during the last 3 days in acne patients was 3.83 ± 2.31 points (mild itch) and was significantly more severe (p < 0.001) than in university students diagnosed with acne (2.09 ± 1.29 points). Itch intensity did not depend on the clinical severity of acne. In consecutive acne patients, itch intensity correlated with quality-of-life impairments (assessed using DLQI and CADI) and HADS scores. There was no correlation between itch intensity and stigmatization levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Itching seems to be a common phenomenon in acne sufferers. Acne itch significantly influences patients' well-being and should be considered in a holistic approach to acne patients.

Alexithymia in adolescents in Poland: an important issue in the holistic approach to patients' care

Introduction

Alexithymia is defined as a disturbed ability to identify and verbally express emotions with a limited imaginative capacity as well as externally oriented thinking. The literature on alexithymia is limited and scarce research concentrated on alexithymia in different gender groups.

Aim

As alexithymia may influence the therapeutic outcome, the objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of alexithymia in adolescents in Poland, paying special attention to gender differences.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional study was run on a group of 730 high school students in Poland. The mean age of this group was 17.05 ±1.18 years (age range: 15-19 years). Alexithymia was assessed with Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).

Results

Alexithymia was found in 31.0% of adolescents. 56.0% of subjects presented with signs of at least intermediate (borderline) alexithymia. Significantly more females than males suffered from alexithymia (37.0% and 20.8%, respectively; p < 0.001). TAS-20 scores were also significantly higher in females than males (55.59 ±12.32 points and 49.40 ±12.00, respectively; p < 0.001). The same phenomenon was observed for the following domains of alexithymia: difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF) and difficulty in describing feelings (DDF). However, there was no difference in gender distribution in the externally oriented thinking (EOT) domain.

Conclusions

Alexithymia was shown to be common among adolescents in our country. More females than males suffer from this condition. This seems to be of importance in the holistic approach to patients' care.