Dietary Patterns in Patients with Acne Vulgaris and its Association with Acne Severity

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris, commonly known as acne is frequent skin inflammation condition of pilosebaceous unit. Recent studies have reported the role of dietary intake in the onset and severity of acne.

Objective: To compare dietary intake between individuals with and without acne vulgaris and to assess the association between dietary intake and acne severity among patients with acne vulgaris.

Methods: A case control study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Bakhtawar Amin Trust Hospital, Multan from September 2024 to February 2025. A total of 120 patients; 60 with acne vulgaris (Group A) and 60 healthy subjects (Group B) were selected for the study. Patients’ data was noted by interview consisting of three parts; anthropometric data, 3-day food consumption and consumption of food and dairy products.

Results Group A consumed significantly more cheese than Group B (p <0.05). Acne scores were positively associated to carbohydrate consumption significant (p <0.01) and negatively associated to fat consumption (p <0.01)

Conclusion: Patients with Acne vulgaris have higher odds of cheese consumption. Higher carbohydrate intake correlates positively with acne severity, whereas fat intake showed a negative correlation with acne score.