A Primary Care Framework for Classifying and Managing Acne Vulgaris: Focus on Inflammatory and Post-Adolescent Acne

摘要

Acne vulgaris, simply referred to as acne, is a multifactorial disorder of the pilo-sebaceous unit. It is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting approximately 40 to 50 million individuals annually.1 A patient's clinical picture can vary greatly from mild comedonal acne (ie, noninflammatory disease) to fulminant disease. The psychological impact can be intense, and the economic costs of treatment can be considerable. Increasing knowledge about the pathogenesis of acne has led to the development of numerous effective treatment regimens that can be tailored to each patient. The lack of standardization for grading acne severity and measuring treatment outcomes has made systematic interpretation of the literature difficu however, quality evidence-based literature in the field of acne is growing.2'3 This article provides a framework that primary care clinicians can use to categorize and manage acne. The focus is on inflammatory and post-adolescent acne, as these are the most common acne subtypes for which patients seek care, and they can usually be appropriately managed in the primary care setting.