What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study (also classified as: Validation Study).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess medication adherence among patients with acne vulgaris attending a dermatology clinic.

January 6, 2026Open Access

Medication Adherence in Acne Vulgaris Patients Attending Dermatology Clinic at a Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Key Points

This study aims to assess medication adherence among patients with acne vulgaris attending a dermatology clinic.
Conducted a cross-sectional study among 198 patients with acne vulgaris
Utilized the ECOB scale to evaluate treatment adherence
Collected data on sociodemographics, medical history, and clinical characteristics
50.5% of patients were non-adherent to anti-acne medications
Non-adherence linked to side effects like skin dryness
No significant associations found with demographic or medical history variables

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Acne is a common skin condition that is characterized by the manifestation of comedones, erythematous papules, pustules, and nodules over follicular areas. A huge contributing factor in the pathogenesis is colonization by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) (formerly Propionibacterium acnes). Conventional treatments for acne range from topical to systemic agents with variable side effects and safety profiles. Adherence to prescribed treatments for acne is a huge challenge. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 198 patients with dermatologist-confirmed acne vulgaris at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah. Eligible participants had received topical and/or systemic treatment for at least one month. Exclusion criteria included other acne variants and inflammatory follicular disorders. Data on sociodemographics, medical and treatment history, and clinical characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Treatment adherence was assessed with the validated ECOB scale. Associations between adherence and relevant variables were analyzed using Chi-squared and Mann–Whitney tests in SPSS v26, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Non-adherence to anti-acne medications was 50.5% and was significantly associated with experiencing side effects, particularly skin dryness, and with moderate acne severity and topical treatment (p ≤ 0.05). No significant associations were found between adherence and demographic or medical history variables. Conclusions: Adherence to acne treatment remains a significant challenge for many patients. Improving patient education, addressing concerns about side effects, and providing practical support may help patients follow their prescribed therapies more consistently. Incorporating tools like the ECOB questionnaire into routine dermatology visits can support ongoing assessment and better management of treatment adherence.

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