title: Acne prevalence, severity and risk factors among medical students in Malaysia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acne is a common skin disorder which can cause physical scaring and impact the quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, severity and the risk factors for developing acne among medical students in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study among UKM medical students from academic year 1 to 5 was conducted from July 2011 to May 2012. A total of 361 students were selected by stratified cluster sampling method. Baseline data of the students, risk factors, height and weight were recorded. Acne severity was graded using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale (CASS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of acne among medical students is 68.1% (n=246). Males and females were almost equally affected (1:1.1). Majority students with acne were graded as almost clear (55.7%, n=137), mild (35.0%, n=86), moderate (7.7%, n=19), and severe (1.6%, n=4). More than half of them had developed acne scars (59.0%, n= 213). Males were found to be at higher risk of developing acne compared to females (p<0.05, OR=4.734; 95%CL=2.726-8.222). They are also at higher risk of developing moderate and severe grades of acne compared to females (p=0.001). The odds for developing acne was higher when mother (p=0.029; OR=1.752; 95%CL=1.058-2.902) or father (p=0.027; OR=1.852; 95%CL=1.072-3.201) had acne. When both parents were affected by acne the odds of developing acne was 3 times. (p=0.025; OR=3.056; 95%CL=1.153-8.094).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the prevalence of acne among medical students is high. Hence, it is important to identify those at risk and provide optimal treatment to prevent scarring and possible low self esteem among these future doctors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Malaysia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muthupalaniappen
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Malaysia.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Malaysia.
authors.forename: J W D
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Puah
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Malaysia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Apipi
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Malaysia.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sohaimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Malaysia.
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Mahat
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Rafee
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013337:Students, Medical; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: acne vulgaris; medical; prevalence; risk factors; severity; students