PREVALENCE OF SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER AND RELATED FACTORS IN ACNE PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common types of anxiety disorders and is potentially prevalent in patients with acne. Currently, there are no studies in Vietnam investigating this issue.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of social anxiety disorder and related factors in acne patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with analysis of 102 acne patients visiting Ho Chi Minh hospital of Dermato-Venereology from March to June 2024. The questionnaire on demographic and clinical characteristics of acne, social anxiety disorder diagnostic criteria (DSM-5-TR), The Social Anxiety Disorder Dimensional Scale (SAD-D), and Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were applied for data collection on all patients.

Results: The prevalence of social anxiety disorder in acne patients was 40.2%. In the group of patients with social anxiety disorder, the proportion of mild, moderate, and severe condition of social anxiety was 21.95%, 75.61%, and 2.44%, respectively. Poorer quality-of-life and less exercise time were recorded in the group with social anxiety disorder compared with the group without social anxiety disorder. No difference in acne severity was noted between the groups with and without social anxiety disorder.

Conclusion: Social anxiety disorder was recorded in a high prevalence in acne patients. Quality of life and exercise factors were correlated with social anxiety disorder while acne severity was not.

Keywords: social anxiety disorder; acne vulgaris; related factors