Aim: To assess the prevalence and severity of acne vulgaris in adolescent students.
Method: 867 students in Auckland sixth and seventh form classes were interviewed on the subject of acne vulgaris. Of these 847 students were examined and graded for severity of their acne using a modification of the Leeds technique which ranks severity according to number, extent and nature of the acne lesion.
Results: Ninety-one percent of males and 79% of females had some acne. Severe acne was present in 6.9% males and 1.1% females. Severe and moderately severe acne was significantly more common in males (OR = 2.6 95% Cl 1.73 < OR < 3.9). In the univariate analysis there was no association of moderately severe and severe acne with parental occupational group nor ethnicity.
Conclusion: Moderate and severe acne is a common finding in Auckland senior high school classes with males being more affected than females.