The Psychological Correlates of Treatment Efficacy in Acne

Abstract

Background: Acne is a common disfiguring skin condition that affects approximately 15% of the people in the UK. This study investigates the psychological and emotional impact of acne. Material and Methods: The study was conducted at the dermatology out-patient department of the Stirling Royal Infirmary in Stirling and at the dermatology out-patient department of Falkirk Royal Infirmary in Falkirk (Scotland). Patients were assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment (5 months) and follow-up (8 months). Clinical severity was assessed by a dermatologist at all three assessment time-points using the Leeds Acne Severity Grading Technique. The psychological well-being of acne patients was assessed using the following self-report psychological test measures: The Skindex, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affectivity Scales (PANAS). Patients were also asked to self-rate the severity of their skin disease. 34 acne patients completed all 3 assessments. Results: Results demonstrate that the clinical grade of acne improved significantly over treatment time, and at follow-up assessment. This indicates that the treatment prescribed by the dermatologists was generally effective, and that this improvement in the clinical severity of acne was maintained at the 8-month follow-up assessment, even though medical intervention had ceased. There was also evidence of moderate psychological distress pre-treatment, based on the psychological test measures employed. Treatment outcome results obtained from acne patients showed that there was a significant improvement over treatment time on how patients self-rated their self-esteem and positive affectivity, and a significant decrease on how patients selfrated their anxiety, depression, negative affectivity and Skindex scores. Conclusion: In conclusion this study has demonstrated that the psychological profile exhibited by acne patients pretreatment may be largely reversed over treatment time, and that this psychological improvement is generally maintained at follow-up assessment.