The Effect of Depression on Treatment Adherence Among a Sample of Saudi Patients Diagnosed with Acne Vulgaris

Alanoud Alghofaili,1 Salma Alolayan,1 Ahmad Alhowail,2 Mugahid A Mobark,1 Sulaiman Alderaibi,3 Yasser Almogbel1 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraidah, Qassim, 51452, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraidah, Qassim, 51452, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 3Qassim Armed Forces Hospital, Buraidah, Qassim, 51442, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Yasser AlmogbelDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraidah, Qassim, 51452, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaTel +966 16 3014601Email y.almogbel@qu.edu.saPurpose: Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder of the skin and is the most common dermatological disease, affecting all ages and races. Acne is known to be associated with depression. This study aimed to assess the impact of depression on patient adherence to acne vulgaris treatment using The Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT).Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 204 patients with acne using four scales (depression, satisfaction, intention to adhere to acne medication, and control for confirmation). ECT scales were used to assess patient satisfaction and intention to adhere to medication. Demographic data were also collected, and descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed.Results: A total of 204 questionnaires were completed. The mean age of the respondents was 25 ± 7.2. The majority were female; 167 (83.50%). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated a negative association between depression (β= − 0.121, p = 0.033; 95% CI, − 0.232 to − 0.009) and satisfaction, when holding other variables constant, and the expected medication effect (confirmation) had a positive association with satisfaction (β= 0.334, p< 0.001; 95% CI, 0.202 to 0.466), keeping all other factors constant. Male sex was negatively associated with satisfaction (β= − 2.388, p= 0.015; 95% CI âˆ