METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was conducted involving 57 acne vulgaris patients and 57 age-, gender- and ethnicity-matched controls. All participants were aged 14 and above. The Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale (CASS) was used to categorise patients (grades 2 to 5) and controls (grades 0 to 1). Information such as the demographics, family history, smoking habits and dietary intake were collected using a self-administered questionnaire.
RESULTS: In the patient arm, the gender ratio of male to female was 1.5:1. 43 patients (75.4%) had a family history of acne vulgaris. No significant association was found for acne in patients with a history of smoking. Milk consumption was significantly higher in patients (63.2%, n=36) versus controls (43.9%, n=25), (OR=2.19, p<0.05). In addition, chocolate consumption was also significantly higher in patients (43.9%, n=25) versus controls (24.6%, n=14), (OR=2.4, p<0.05). No significant association was found with the intakes of sweets, potatoes, chips, nuts, yoghurt, ice-cream or carbonated drinks.
CONCLUSIONS: Dietary intake of milk and chocolate may play a role in acne vulgaris. Prospective cohort and intervention studies are recommended to explore whether a causal relationship might obtain.
METHODS: A total of 36 subjects (94.5% Fitzpatick Type IV-V) were recruited in this randomized double-blinded, split-face, controlled trial. Each side of the face was randomly assigned for treatment with either JS or SA. Subjects were treated once fortnightly for a total of three sessions. Lesion counting, Michaelsson acne score (MAS), photographs, and postacne hyperpigmentation index (PAHPI) were used to objectively assess the improvement. Complications were assessed during each visit. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v22.0. Significance was set at P = 0.05.
RESULTS: At the end of therapy, significant reduction in inflammatory, noninflammatory lesions, MAS, and PAHPI scores (P