Facial Sebum Levels and Its Relationship With the Severity of Acne Vulgaris in African Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit which usually begins in adolescence and also affects a large proportion of young adults. To determine the prevalence, pattern and severity of acne vulgaris, and also determine the relationship between facial sebum levels and the severity of acne vulgaris in African adolescents.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in randomly selected secondary schools (four) in Ibadan. Three hundred an eighty-eight study participants were recruited between August and September 2013. Male and female patients aged between 10 to 19 years, attending various arms of the secondary schools (Junior and Senior classes) were included. At the screening assessment, participants' completed a pro-forma on acne history, previous treatment for acne and nature of treatment where applicable. The combined acne severity scale (CASS) was used to grade acne severity into mild, moderate or severe acne. Sebum casual levels expressed as µg/cm were then recorded using a sebumeter®.

Result: A total of 388 respondents were included in the study, of whom 198 (51.0%) were male and 190 (48.9%) females. The mean age of the subjects was 15.2 years (range: 10-19 years). The overall prevalence of acne in this study was 81.9%. The overall median casual sebum levels was 50 2 µg/cm (IQR: 20 - 95) for the forehead and 45 2 µg/cm (IQR: 20 - 95) for the cheek. There was a significant increase (p-value 0.002) in forehead sebum with each severity scale.

Conclussion: In conclusion, facial sebum levels correlate directly with the severity of acne vulgaris in African adolescents.