Association between depression and alexithymia in adolescents with Acne vulgaris

Abstract

Introduction

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that affects the majority of adolescents. The physical changes of acne may have negative effects on the psychological structure of adolescents such as anxiety and depression. Alexithymia has been suggested to be an important symptom in psychodermatological patients.

Objective

Our study aims to access depression in adolescents with A. vulgaris and to evaluate its relationship with alexithymia.

Methods

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study regarding 50 adolescents followed in the outpatient dermatology unit of Hédi Chaker University hospital in Sfax (Tunisia). To assess depression, we used a psychometric tool: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used to evaluate alexithymia. The severity of acne was evaluated with the Global Acne Evaluation (GEA) Scale.

Results

The mean age of adolescents was 15 years 9 months. Almost all of adolescents was female (82%), and live in urban area.

The severity of A. vulgaris was mild in 50%, moderate in 32% and severe in 18%.

The prevalence of depression was 48%. Twenty-four percent of them have a major depression. Forty-six percent of patients scored positive for alexithymia.

The occurrence of depression was significantly associated to alexithymia (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

This study showed a positive correlation between alexithymia and depression.

These results can be useful in treatment based on processing of emotional information and regulation of emotions.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.