Acne is a generalized term used for an eruptive skin disease. Often synonymic to onset of puberty, nearly all teenagers experience pimples. However, one in five go on to develop moderate to severe forms of acne.
“A bad complexion can be psychologically devastating at a critical point in human development where self-image and confidence [are] being established," Dr. Jerry Tan, a dermatologist at the University of Western Ontario, in Canada averred.
Acne itself, and not acne drugs spur suicidal thoughts
Hitherto studies had suggested strong tie-ups between use of acne drugs and increased risk of mental health problems and suicidal thoughts in teens.
However, according to the findings of the latest trials, the condition (acne) itself, and not the use of acne drugs spur suicidal thoughts.
"There has been a lot of controversy about this, especially in the U.S.," study’s lead author, Dr. Jon A. Halvorsen, of the University of Oslo, in Norway. "But depression and suicidal [thoughts] in acne reflects the burden of acne, rather than being a side effect of isotretinoin," he confirmed.
For the current study, researchers at the University of Oslo surveyed 3,775 Norwegian teens aged between 18 and 19 years.
Participants were required to fill out questionnaires providing details about their acne status, treatment and mental health.
Fourteen percent of the participants had moderate to severe forms of acne.
Suicidal thoughts were more common in teens with severe acne than those with less acne, researchers found. Almost 25 percent of the teens with severe acne reportedly had suicidal thoughts as against 11 percent of the study participants overall.
Also, the psychological impact of acne appeared to be greater in boys than in girls. Three times as many boys and two times as many girls with severe acne reportedly had suicidal thoughts, as against those with little or none of the skin condition, the researchers found.
In addition, the teens with severe acne were 52 percent more likely remove themselves from friends, do poorly in school, or be jittery with the opposite gender.
"There has been a lot of controversy about this, especially in the U.S.," study’s lead author, Dr. Jon A. Halvorsen, of the University of Oslo, in Norway. "But depression and suicidal [thoughts] in acne reflects the burden of acne, rather than being a side effect of isotretinoin," he confirmed.
Purported link between isotretinoin and depression
Isotretinoin, the active ingredient in acne drugs such as Accutane and Claravis, was allegedly believed to raise the risk of depression, suicide, and suicidal thinking in the past.
A Canadian trial published in the 'Journal of Clinical Psychiatry' in 2008, found isotretinoin users at twofold higher risk developing depression.
"While these results do not exonerate isotretinoin in causing depression, it does suggest that severe acne in and of itself is associated with suicidal [thoughts]," Tan says.
The findings of the study are published online Sept. 16 in the 'Journal of Investigative Dermatology.'