NEUROGENIC EXCORIATION AMONG ACNE PATIENTS : A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Aim. Excoriation disorder is characterized by obsessive-compulsive type skin picking, often focused on noticeable imperfections. In the literature, the prevalence of excoriation disorder has so far mostly been studied in community settings. This study aims to investigate skin picking behavior frequency and associated factors in a potentially higher risk population of acne patients.Methods. A prevalence study was conducted among individuals with acne between February and July 2024. The Skin Picking Scale-Revised was used to assess excoriation behavior. Clinically significant skin picking was defined by scores of ≥ 9. Additional questions included demographic data, self-reported acne characteristics and respondent’s views on the effects of picking. Acne-related and other factor group differences in excoriation behavior were examined using χ2 and Student's t-tests, performing ANOVA, correlation and linear regression analyses.Results. The study sample consisted of 380 participants. Due to the small proportion of males, only women’s responses were analyzed. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 53 (22.8±5.1). Clinically significant skin picking was observed in more than half (62.4%, n = 222) of study participants. The mean score of the Skin Picking Scale-Revised for all participants was 10.55±5.69. Respondents with moderate acne had significantly higher excoriation scores compared to those with mild acne. According to the regression model, younger age and poorer acne treatment report predict higher excoriation intensity.Conclusions. Pathological skin picking was particularly common among individuals with acne compared to prevalence study results in the general population. Higher acne severity and less effective treatment were associated with more frequent picking. In clinical practice, recognition and concomitant treatment of excoriation disorder could significantly improve treatment outcomes in the acne patient population.