Descriptive epidemiological study of acne on scholar pupils in France during autumn 1996.

Background. Acne is the most common symptom prompting patients to consult a dermatologist. No previous study has been conducted in France to determine the prevalence of acne and describe the main epidemiological features. Subjects and methods. A cross sectional study was conducted in November 199 6 and included 913 school children aged 11 to 18 years. This sample was sta tistically representative of the entire secondary school population in Fran ce during the 1996-1997 school year. The subjects were stratified by 5 crit eria: age, sex, rural or urban residence, sun exposure, type of school. Results. Taking the clinical diagnosis made by the dermatologist investigat or as the main criteria, the overall prevalence of acne was 72 p. 100. It w as 76.1 p. 100 using the new ECLA grading system previously described. The prevalence of acne was sex and age dependent: highest scores were found for girls aged 14-16 yea's and for boys aged 16-17 years. Genetic factors were very important for the outcome of acne. Finally, 41 p. loo of the acneic s ubjects were following a treatment, prescribed by a dermatologist in two-th ird of the cases. Discussion. These results are in agreement with those previously published in the literature although some differences were disclosed. It would appear important to distinguish between minimal acne with a few retentional pimpl es occuring during adolescence and severe acne (more than 20 pimples on the face) requiring early medical care to avoid scarring.