Comorbidity of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder With Acne Vulgaris

Based on research, acne vulgaris is associated with a high prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This study investigates the comorbidity of ADHD and acne vulgaris in individuals with acne vulgaris who were referred to the Razi Dermatology Specialist Clinic and Beesat Clinic of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht City, Iran, in 2021.

This case-control study includes 85 individuals with acne vulgaris and 85 without acne vulgaris. The Conners’ adult ADHD rating scales (CAARS) were used to evaluate ADHD symptoms. The study data were analyzed with SPSS software, version 24 at a significant level of <0.05.

The Mean±SD age of the study participants was 35.12±13.19 years, and 64.1% of them (n=109) were women. Of the total participants, 7.6% had ADHD, and the frequency of ADHD in individuals with acne vulgaris compared to controls was 8.2% vs 7.1%, and this difference was not significant (P=0.773). The frequency of ADHD and the mean score of ADHD in individuals with acne vulgaris were higher in those aged ≤30, women, and severe types of acne, but this difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Our findings showed no statistically significant difference between subjects with acne vulgaris and the control group in the score and frequency of ADHD. Also, we found no statistically significant difference in the score and the frequency of ADHD based on the severity of acne vulgaris.