title: Understanding the burden of adult female acne.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Typically regarded as an adolescent condition, acne among adult females is also prevalent. Limited data are available on the clinical characteristics and burden of adult female acne. The study objective was to describe clinical characteristics and psychosocial impact of acne in adult women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, web-based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from a diverse sample of United States females.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women ages 25 to 45 years with facial acne (≥25 visible lesions).
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, perceptions, coping behaviors, psychosocial impact of acne (health-related quality of life using acne-specific Quality of Life questionnaire and psychological status using Patient Health Questionnaire), and work/productivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 208 women completed the survey (mean age 35±6 years), comprising White/Caucasian (51.4%), Black/African American (24.5%), Hispanic/Latino (11.1%), Asian (7.7%), and Other (5.3%). Facial acne presented most prominently on cheeks, chin, and forehead and was characterized by erythema, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and scarring. Average age of adult onset was 25±6 years, and one-third (33.7%) were diagnosed with acne as an adult. The majority (80.3%) had 25 to 49 visible facial lesions. Acne was perceived as troublesome and impacted self-confidence. Makeup was frequently used to conceal acne. Facial acne negatively affected health-related quality of life, was associated with mild/moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, and impacted ability to concentrate on work or school.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RESULTS highlight the multifaceted impact of acne and provide evidence that adult female acne is under-recognized and burdensome.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery, Sacramento, California;
authors.forename: Emil A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tanghetti
authors.affiliation: Evidera, Bethesda, Maryland;
authors.forename: Ariane K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kawata
authors.affiliation: Allergan Inc., Irvine, California;
authors.forename: Selena R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.affiliation: United BioSource Corporation, Montreal, Quebec;
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yeomans
authors.affiliation: Health Outcomes Consultant, Laguna Beach, California;
authors.forename: Caroline T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Burk
authors.affiliation: Callender Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, Glenn Dale, Maryland.
authors.forename: Valerie D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Callender