Effect of severity of acne on the mental health of Lebanese patients with acne: findings from an online survey.

Background: Acne, an inflammatory chronic skin disease, is one of the most common disorders treated worldwide. Many studies have demonstrated the bidirectional relation that exists between skin disorders, specifically acne and mental health. However, there is paucity of such data in Lebanon where acne is a prevalent skin disease. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the effect of the severity of acne on the mental health of Lebanese patients with acne.

Methods: After receiving the ethical approval for research, a google form questionnaire was shared via Instagram and WhatsApp, starting from December 2021 to February 2022, with 729 Lebanese patients with acne, who were living in Lebanon, were over the age of 16, and were able to read and understand English. The questionnaire included 4 major parts: sociodemographic characteristics, physical health, mental health, and coping strategies.

Results: Out of 729 participants, 57.48% were aged between 21 and 25 years old, 61.59% were females, 35.12% had a Bachelor's degree, 55% had mild acne and 35% had moderate acne. The results have shown that the severity of acne was associated with increased depression, anxiety, distress, and decreased well-being but didn't significantly affect social isolation. Female gender and higher educational level were associated with a higher risk of mental illness among acne patients. Regular eating, regular exercise, and coping strategies also played an important role in the mental health state.

Conclusions: This study has confirmed that acne severity has a negative impact on the mental health of Lebanese patients. Therefore, this interaction between the mind and the skin should be addressed by focusing on the psychosocial context of skin diseases, especially acne.