Abstract
Aim: To identify in a general population longitudinal cohort followed from birth to age 38, the association between acne from adolescence to adulthood and mental health disorders.
Methods: Data about mental health disorders (collected at ages 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 26, 32 & 38) and acne (collected for 15 through 38 years) were used in this study.
Results: Acne problems reported during adolescence (15-21 years) were associated at 21 with anxiety disorders. Acne that was still a problem at age 21 (i.e. persistent acne) was associated at 21 with anxiety and depression disorders. This association remained after adjustment for sex and prior mental health disorders between ages 11-15 years. Acne problems reported during emerging adult years (21-26 years) were not associated with mental disorders at 26, except when the acne was persistent. The odds then, of a diagnosis of depression at 26 were doubled, even after adjustment for sex and prior mental health disorders. In contrast, acne problems reported between 26 and 32 years were associated at age 32 with not only anxiety and depression but also with substance dependence disorders, (increased risks of between two to five times), even after adjustment for sex and prior mental disorder. Between 32 and 38 years, significant associations were observed between acne and anxiety disorders only.
Conclusions: Acne appears to be associated with mental health disorders, particularly among those with persistent acne. Data from a general population sample show that these associations appear to differ by developmental epoch.