Abstract

Background and Aims:
Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit. Emerging evidence suggests a link between poor sleep quality and acne. This study aims to assess the prevalence of acne vulgaris and its association with sleep quality among medical students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS).
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 277 medical students at KSAU-HS, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia using a self-administered online questionnaire. Acne severity was assessed using the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) scale, while sleep quality was measured using components of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Acne severity was predominantly mild, with 23.5% having no acne (Grade 0), 28.5% with mild acne (Grade 1), and 23.1% with moderate acne (Grade 2). Poor sleep quality was reported by 50.5% of participants. Good sleep quality was significantly associated with lower acne severity and less frequent acne breakouts. Participants with good sleep quality were more likely to have no acne or only mild acne compared to those with poor sleep quality (p < 0.001). Gender showed a significant association with acne severity (p = 0.033), with females reporting higher acne severity than males, while age did not show a significant correlation.
Conclusion:
This study highlights a significant association between poor sleep quality and increased acne severity. Promoting healthy sleep habits may be beneficial in managing acne among medical students. Further research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms.

Key words: Acne vulgaris, Sleep quality, Saudi Arabia, Prevalence, Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA)