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Introduction: Only a small amount of published data regarding truncal acne is available, and no proper tool to assess its severity exists. Aim: The aim of the study was to provide dermatologists with an easy‐to‐use tool to assess truncal acne (TRASS, truncal acne severity scale) using a global approach. Methods: A scoring tool that assesses the severity of acne (based on GEA and ECLA scales) on the trunk using a global approach was built, including three sub‐scores: family history, clinical signs and quality of life (QoL). In order to test TRASS, the experts used photographs of 47 patients attending their clinics with truncal acne. The regression optimized (ROP) model was applied to assess the diagnosis performance of TRASS and to identify items contributing to the classification of the patients. Internal testing was made to demonstrate the robustness of the model. Correlation analyses between the different items were performed to evaluate the interaction between the different items and their impact on the severity grading of truncal acne. Results: Patients with the most severe acne were identified by TRASS. The error level was 6.6% after internal validation and 10.4% when using the median value or the centile 75th (6.6% and 10.4%). Correlation was significant between systemic treatment and scars (P = 0.0025) and nodules (P = 0.01988) and between location and QoL (P = 0.0095). Conclusion: Truncal acne severity scale is the first global, patient‐centred approach to evaluate truncal acne by scoring the importance of each factor independently from its clinical severity. TRASS may allow the practitioner to choose and validate the most suitable therapy together with the patient in order to treat his or her truncal acne successfully and to limit treatment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Truncal acne is frequently overlooked in dermatological practice, even though it may result in scars and impact on self‐esteem and body image. Therefore, it is important to identify the disease early in order to initiate treatment in time and, thus, to prevent it from worsening and resulting in physical and psychological sequelae. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of what is currently known about truncal acne, its prevalence, aetiology and physiopathology, how its severity is currently evaluated, how to differentiate it from other skin afflictions and current treatment options. A review of literature considering the issue of truncal acne published up to 2019 and available from PubMed was conducted, and in total, 76 articles were selected from PubMed. Currently, only little information about truncal acne is available. Considered as having the same pathophysiology as facial acne, the clinical picture and treatment response seem to differ. Specific acne severity grading systems and quality of life questionnaires as well as a specific treatment algorithm are still lacking. Filling this gap should allow clinicians to assess truncal acne in the best possible way, choosing suitable treatment options, helping patients to improve treatment adherence and quality of life and finally allowing a better management of truncal acne. In conclusion, more knowledge is required to treat more efficiently truncal acne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne may significantly impact quality of life, self‐esteem and self‐worth. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the knowledge and perception of acne and its risk factors in adolescents and young adults. The most critical issues reported for an optimal management of this specific population were identified. A PubMed literature review of results from patient‐oriented surveys published between 2007 and 2018 was conducted. Two different types of survey were used: those using either validated questionnaires or specifically developed questionnaires. No consistency or directly comparable data with regards to age, onset, duration, severity and treatment of acne and by whom and where data were collected were observed. Acne affected female patients psychologically more than male patients. The majority referred to their treating physician in order to obtain information, and all surveys pointed out that specific treatment programs would allow to increase awareness about acne. Beliefs, traditions and economic factors continue to impact the perception of and treatment choices for acne in almost all countries and cultures, maintaining the improvement of awareness about acne a major global health challenge. In conclusion, identifying, considering and managing the patient's concerns about acne may improve the young patient's well‐being and thus decrease additional healthcare expenses for emerging psychological comorbidities. This can be achieved by creating substantial and structured awareness through local and global information campaigns via the treating physicians, Internet, social networks and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne is an inflammatory and multifactorial skin disease. Different external and internal factors, including air pollution, aggressive skincare products, medication, mechanical, hormonal and familial factors and, more recently, lifestyle and stress, have been suggested as having an impact on acne. Moreover, for many years nutrition was believed to cause or worsen acne. Over the last decades, however, it has become a dermatological doctrine that there is no direct association between diet and acne. Even if recent research has allowed to identify certain nutritional elements and behaviour that may impact on acne, including the excessive intake of dairy products and hyperglycaemic food, modern lifestyle nutrition, obesity and eating disorders, knowledge about the role of nutrition in the physiopathology of acne still remains sparse and hypotheses and myths continue to dominate the debate. Thus, further clinical and translational research is necessary to investigate and confirm the association between nutrition and acne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The JEADV has recently published the article 'Incidence, prevalence and risk of acne in adolescent and adult patients with atopic dermatitis - a matched cohort study' by Thyssen I et al i .1 In this article, the authors assessed the prevalence of I acne vulgaris i (acne)in patients with atopic dermatitis and treated with Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitors through an epidemiological study that was initiated upon results from several clinical trials in moderate-to-severe AD testing JAK 1 and JAK 2 inhibitors reporting cases of acne in patients having been treated with JAK inhibitors. 5 Platsidaki E, Dessinioti C. Recent advances in understanding Propionibacterium acnes (Cutibacterium acnes) in acne. [Extracted from the article]

Background Acne is a concern in adults, especially in women. The specifications in current acne grading systems are not applicable to this particular population. Objective To develop and validate a measurement tool ( AFAST: adult female acne scoring tool) for acne in women by taking into account the specific locations of adult female acne, and to evaluate the impact of the photographic modalities on rating reproducibility. Methods Six experts in dermatology rated pictures of 54 women with a phototype from I to IV during two sessions, with an interval of 24 h. They rated the acne severity on the face using the GEA scale (Score 1) together with a new scale to assess acne on the mandibular zone (Score 2). Pictures of 30 women were taken using a standardized photographic device; pictures of the other 24 women were taken by their own dermatologists during daily practice. Results At session 1, the inter-rater's reproducibility was good for Score 1 with an ICC of 0.77 [0.72-0.83], and excellent for Score 2 with an ICC of 0.87 [0.82-0.91]. Between sessions 1 and 2, the mean intra-rater's reproducibility was excellent for both scores with an ICC of 0.88 [0.84-0.92] for Score 1, and an ICC of 0.87 [0.78-0.92] for Score 2. Photographic modalities had no significant effect on the inter- and intra-rater's reproducibility. Conclusion For the first time, it has been demonstrated that AFAST can accurately rate acne severity in women. It is a promising, easy-to-use tool for both daily practice and clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne vulgaris (acne) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous gland, characterized by follicular hyperkeratinization, excessive colonization by Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) as well as immune reactions and inflammation. Despite an armamentarium of topical treatments available including benzoyl peroxide, retinoids and azelaic acid, topical antibiotics in monotherapies, especially erythromycin and clindamycin, are still used in Europe to treat acne. This intensive use led to antimicrobial-resistant P. acnes and staphylococci strains becoming one of the main health issues worldwide. This is an update on the current topical acne treatments available in Europe, their mechanism of action, their potential to induce antimicrobial resistance and their clinical efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of acne and the role of Propionibacterium acnes. With this review, the authors aim to provide an update on the current understanding of the role of P. acnes in the development of acne lesions and analysing the potential implications for future treatments. A total of 188 articles published between January 1980 and March 2013 were searched using key words such as acne, P. acnes, microbiology, Corynebacterium acnes, acne vulgaris, pathogenesis, antibiotic, vaccination and a combination of those key words. From those articles, 77 were analysed in depth. Recent data confirm that P. acnes has a strong proinflammatory activity and targets molecules involved in the innate cutaneous immunity, keratinocytes and sebaceous glands of the pilosebaceous follicle and leads to the development of comedones. Furthermore, the profile of its different strains may differ between healthy subjects and acne patients. The better understanding of the role of P. acnes may allow for new perspectives in the treatment of acne. Novel therapies should target molecules implicated in the activation of innate immunity, including toll-like receptors, protease-activated receptors and topical antimicrobial peptides; the latter may be an alternative to topical antibiotics and thus a solution for limiting bacterial resistance induced by topical macrolides. Vaccines may also be promising. However, the most appropriate candidate remains to be selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many acne grading methods exist; however, there is no agreed-upon standard. Our objective was to create and validate a reproducible acne assessment scale for rating the severity of juvenile facial acne suitable for use in France and Europe. The scale we created described the different types of acne lesions in a manner similar to global assessment scales used in clinical trials. The scale was then validated by seven expert dermatologists in the field of acne [the Global Evaluation Acne (GEA) group] first on 34 photographic cases of Caucasian acne patients and second by clinical examination of 22 acne patients. There was good agreement in Investigators' assessments of acne both on photographs and patients ( R = 0.8057; P < 0.0001, and R = 0.8437; P = 0.0015). The GEA Scale is a global scale validated both on photographs and acne patients which can be used either in clinical research or by the dermatologist in his office. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The three-grade acne classification (mild, moderate, severe) is widely used to define the licensed indications of acne treatments, and for therapeutic decision-making in clinical practice, but its reproducibility has never been assessed. Methods Ten photographs of facial acne were scored independently by eight experts using the three-grade acne classification. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the results, based on graphical representation of the scores for each photograph. Results Inter-observer agreement on acne severity based on the three-grade acne classification was very poor. Conclusion The classical three-grade acne classification is poorly reproducible. A new rating tool accompanied by a clinical description of each severity level would be extremely useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked article: M. Donnarumma. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33: e418–e419. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15723. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case of an oral lichenoid eruption due to methacrylate allergy reaction. Examination of dental prosthesis to reinforced composite resin; Complaint of gingival and lingual irritation by a patient with dental prosthesis; Increase use of resins in dental restoration and prosthesis.