The burden of acne across the world

Acne is one of the most common skin diseases treated across the world. Latest reports suggest acne may be increasing in adolescents and adults, particularly adult females. The concept of burden of skin disease takes into account many different factors and can be difficult to quantify in light of different healthcare systems across the globe. In acne, the resulting burden may vary according to the patient’s age and gender, the duration of their disease, as well as their ability to access effective treatments. The visible nature of acne, the symptoms it can cause, and issues such as scarring that can result from acne, can all contribute physically and psychosocially (e.g. mental wellbeing and quality of life) to the overall burden caused by acne, as do the costs required for treatment. Acne typically starts in adolescence at a time of significant transition. Acne can have profound effects on relationships, social functioning as well as on mental health. The common nature of acne also presents an economic burden for society. The widespread and prolonged use of antibiotics introduces a potential added burden through resulting antimicrobial resistance, which is when microbes (e.g. bacteria) become resistant to certain medicines, making infections harder to treat. A James Lind Alliance Acne Priority Setting Partnership, which involved many people with acne and their families, has identified numerous areas for future research that would help to improve acne management (treatment) and reduce the burden. There is a lack of standardized assessments for measuring the severity of a person’s acne. This is a major issue in acne trials, and makes it harder to compare different treatments. This paper reviews the current literature on burden of acne, identifies areas of treatment uncertainties, and summarizes the work of Acne Core Outcome Network (ACORN) as a means of supporting a reduction in the burden of disease. Linked Article:   Layton et al . Br J Dermatol 2021; 184 :219–225.