Cross-sectional survey of awareness and behavioral pattern regarding acne and acne scar based on smartphone application.
BACKGROUND
Although acne scar is a permanent sequela that may be induced by improper management of active acne lesion, patient behavior patterns and awareness regarding acne are unclear. The aim of this study was to identify awareness and behavioral patterns concerning acne and acne scar of people having acne and differences between those with and without acne scars.


METHODS
The survey was performed via smartphone application for 900 participants in their second to fourth decade having current or previous acne lesions. They were further categorized into two groups based on the presence of acne scar (scar and scarless groups) with no statistical difference in demographic composition.


RESULTS
The mean age of all participants was 24.6 ± 5.3. The scar group had a longer disease duration (4.9 years) than those of the scarless group (2.2 years). Participants in the scar group thought that acne scarring affected psychosocial aspects more negatively compared with those in the scarless group. Participants in the scarless group visited dermatology clinics earlier than those in the scar group. In the scar group, 62.1% of participants have never had their acne scars treated medically. Most (88.6%) participants from both groups believed that non-dermatologic treatment caused side effects or aggravated their acne.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants with acne scars tended to treat their acne and acne scars improperly, which could negatively affect their daily lives. Acne scars are sequelae of acne and should be regarded as a distinct disease entity, requiring a patient's early visit to dermatologic clinics.
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Seon Yong
SY
Park
Department of Dermatology, National Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
Mi Youn
MY
Park
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Dae Hun
DH
Suh
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Hyuck Hoon
HH
Kwon
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Seonguk
S
Min
Yeonsei Star Skin and Laser Clinic, Seoul, South Korea.
Sang Joo
SJ
Lee
Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea.
Weon Ju
WJ
Lee
Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Mi Woo
MW
Lee
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Hyo Hyun
HH
Ahn
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Hoon
H
Kang
Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea.
Jee Bum
JB
Lee
Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Young Suck
YS
Ro
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea.
Kyu Joong
KJ
Ahn
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Myeung Nam
MN
Kim
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea.
Kwang Joong
KJ
Kim
Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Nack In
NI
Kim
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003880:Dermatology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications; D009819:Office Visits; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068997:Smartphone; D058992:Social Participation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents