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Pathophysiology of acne
Author(s) -
Degitz Klaus,
Placzek Marianne,
Borelli Claudia,
Plewig Gerd
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06274.x
Subject(s) - dermatology , medicine , acne , university hospital , library science , family medicine , computer science
JDDG | 4 ̇2007 (Band 5) © The Authors • Journal compilation © Blackwell Verlag, Berlin • JDDG • 1610-0379/2007/0504-0316 Introduction Acne is the most common skin disease [1]. In Germany, as in other Western industrialized nations, a majority of the population has signs and symptoms of acne at least during puberty. Epidemiologic data suggests up to 80% of individuals are affected [2]. Men and women develop acne about equally. The disease has its onset at age 10–14 years and regresses by age 20–25 years. In some patients acne persists into the fourth or fifth decade of life (persistent acne). The clinical spectrum of acne ranges from mild manifestations (a few comedones with occasional inflamed papulopustules, sometimes termed “physiologic” acne in contrast to “clinical” acne in more severe cases) up to severe inflammation and abscess formation on the face or upper trunk (Figure 1). Several classifications exist to describe the severity of acne [1, 3]. Independent of its severity, acne can be a heavy emotional burden on the patient.