Symptoms and Impact of Acne Vulgaris on Pediatric Patients

To evaluate the symptoms and impact of moderate-to-severe non-nodular acne vulgaris (AV) on emotional functioning, social functioning, and activities of daily living (ADL) among pediatric patients, study authors of a poster presentation from Winter Clinical Hawaii examined AV in community practices across the United States.

The single-arm, prospective cohort study, PROSES (NCT04820673), analyzed patients with moderate-to-severe non-nodular AV ≥9 years who were prescribed sarecycline in real-world US community practices. In total, 300 patients were enrolled from 30 different practices. A validated ASIS questionnaire and an Expert Panel Questionnaire (EPQ) including signs and impact of emotional and social domains were completed by pediatric patients (<12 years) and caregivers (for patients 9-11 years) at baseline and at week 12.

Study results showed that most pediatric patients reported moderate-to-severe AV burden in several areas associated with emotional and physical functioning, and ADL, across the age groups. The EPQ domain questionnaire related to emotional functioning asked the following questions and received the following responses of a moderate-to-severe burden:

• Over the past 7 days, how often has your acne made you feel angry?
  • 9-11 years: 25%
  • 12-17 years: 41.2%
• How worried are you about how long your acne will last and how bad it will get?
  • 9-11 years: 50%
  • 12-17 years: 74.2%
• How often do you think about your acne?
  • 9-11 years: 50%
  • 12-17 years: 75.2%
• Over the past 7 days, how worried have you been about your acne?
  • 9-11 years: 50%
  • 12-17 years: 64.9%

The EPQ domain questionnaire related to social functioning asked the following questions and received the following responses of a moderate-to-severe burden:

• How often do you change, edit, or filter your social media photo or selfie because of your acne?
  • 9-11 years: 50%
  • 12-17 years: 37.1%
• How often does acne impact your “in real life” plans?
  • 9-11 years: 25%
  • 12-17 years: 27.8%
• How often are you doing something to hide your acne?
  • 9-11 years: 75%
  • 12-17 years: 63.9%

The EPQ domain questionnaire related to ADL asked the following questions and received the following responses of moderate-to-severe burden:

• How often do you feel picked on or judged because of your acne?
  • 9-11 years: 25%
  • 12-17 years: 26.8%
• How concerned are you that your acne will affect your ability to reach your future goals and be the best you can be?
  • 9-11 years: 25%
  • 12-17 years: 16.4%
• Do you feel that your parents understand your acne-related concerns?
  • 9-11 years: 75%
  • 12-17 years: 82.4%
• Over the past 7 days, how often has worrying about or discomfort from acne affected your sleep?
  • 9-11 years: 50%
  • 12-17 years: 20.6%

After reviewing the results, the study authors concluded that “moderate-to-severe AV burden and the psychosocial impact was observed in this prospective cohort of pediatric patients with AV in the US, at the beginning of the PROSES study. Emotional impact and social impact of AV were more pronounced across the pediatric age groups.”

Reference

1. Herbert A, Rieder E, Graber E, et al. Acne symptoms and impact of acne on social functioning, emotional functioning, and activities of daily living (ADL) among pediatric patients with moderate to severe non-nodular acne vulgaris (AV) in community practices across the US: A PROSES study analysis. Presented at the 2023 Winter Clinical Hawaii Dermatology Conference; January 13-18; Kohala Coast, Hawaii.