Prevalence of acne and its impact on quality of life of students from a high school in Montevideo

Background: Acne is highly prevalent during adolescence, with reported rates reaching up to 96%, being commonly associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To know the prevalence of acne in a sample of adolescents from Uruguay. Material and methods: This study assessed the prevalence of acne and its impact on HRQoL in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, attending a high school in Montevideo. Students were examined and classified according to acne Severity. Those diagnosed with acne completed the Cardiff Acne Disability Index to assess HRQoL. Results: A total of 111 adolescents were evaluated (59 females and 52 males). The overall prevalence of acne was 91%, affecting 96.6% of females and 86% of males. Regarding clinical severity, 89% of cases presented mild or moderate acne. On the other hand, 78% of participants with acne showed some degree of HRQoL impairment. Conclusions: Acne is highly prevalent during adolescence and frequently affects the HRQoL, highlighting the need for comprehensive patient assessments and the adoption of a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach.