title: Comparison of anxiety and depression in patients with acne vulgaris and healthy individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units, which chiefly involves face and upper part of the trunk. Its prevalence is highest in adolescence, where the individual counters several psychosocial changes. Depression, suicidal thoughts, and low self esteem are reported in the patients with this disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study is to compare prevalence of anxiety and depression in the patients with acne vulgaris and normal population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 82 patients with acne vulgaris and 82 persons without acne who referred to a dermatology clinic and a specialized office for skin diseases in Rasht were studied. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire and severity of acne was evaluated by Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Data were analyzed by SPSS ver. 14.0 software, independent T-test, multi variate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and chi-square test for comparison the quantitative and ordinal data, respectively; with α=0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of anxiety and mean of anxiety scores were 68.3% and 9.17 ± 3.52, respectively, in patients group and 39.1% and 7.10 ± 3.07, respectively, in control group in which there was a significant difference (P = 0.001). Prevalence of depression and mean of depression scores were 25.6% and 5.34 ± 3.29, respectively, in patients group and 28.1% and 5.01 ± 3.32, respectively, in control group in which there was no significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to high prevalence of anxiety in patients with acne vulgaris, assessment of the screening mental status of the patients by simple questionnaire such as HADS is suggested.
authors: Gilan Medical School, Depatment of Dermatology, Razi University Hospital, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Golchai
authors: Soghra Hosain
authors: SH
authors: Khani
authors: Abtin
authors: A
authors: Heidarzadeh
authors: Shahriar Sadre
authors: SS
authors: Eshkevari
authors: Narges
authors: N
authors: Alizade
authors: Hojate
authors: H
authors: Eftekhari