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2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 9
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Review Article
Online Published: 17 Oct 2026
 


The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review

Ziad M. Alshaalan, Taif Abdullah A. Alqahtani, Miad Khamis M Alsaiari, Ghzlan Hadi Al-ajbi, Hind Hussain Alghtani, Alhanouf Mofareh H Almakhalas, Fatimah Mohammed Al Kulaib, Nouf Ali Alsaiari, Mohammed Ali Al-mutarid.


Abstract
About 9% of people worldwide suffer from acne vulgaris, a common dermatological disorder, with significant psychological sequelae including depression. Understanding the interrelationship between acne and depression is essential for comprehensive patient management. The data supporting the link between depression and acne were compiled in this systematic review to observe the prevalence, mediating mechanisms, impact of acne scars, and effects of isotretinoin treatment on depressive outcomes. For research published between 2021 and 2026, a thorough search of the literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Fourteen studies including nine cross-sectional, three case-control, one cohort, and one population-based study met the inclusion criteria. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical (JBI) Appraisal Checklist was used to evaluate quality. The frequency of depression among acne sufferers varied from 8.65% to 45.2%. Depression and acne severity were shown to be significantly correlated (r=0.838, p<0.01). In more than 38% of patients, acne scars were linked to sadness. Body image disorder, psychological rigidity, and social avoidance were among the psychological mediators that accounted for 84.1% of the impact. Biological pathways implicated inflammation (NF-κB, HMGB1, and NLRP3) and metabolic alterations. Isotretinoin treatment generally improved depressive symptoms, though transient increases occurred during the first month. Acne demonstrated a robust association with depression through psychosocial and biological mechanisms. Routine depression screening, early effective treatment, and multidisciplinary approaches are recommended for optimal patient outcomes.

Key words: Acne vulgaris, depression, systematic review, isotretinoin, psychosocial factors, inflammation, acne scars


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alshaalan ZM, Alqahtani TAA, Alsaiari MKM, Al-ajbi GH, Alghtani HH, Almakhalas AMH, Kulaib FMA, Alsaiari NA, Al-mutarid MA. The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review. IJMDC. Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090

Web Style

Alshaalan ZM, Alqahtani TAA, Alsaiari MKM, Al-ajbi GH, Alghtani HH, Almakhalas AMH, Kulaib FMA, Alsaiari NA, Al-mutarid MA. The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=330418 [Access: October 17, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alshaalan ZM, Alqahtani TAA, Alsaiari MKM, Al-ajbi GH, Alghtani HH, Almakhalas AMH, Kulaib FMA, Alsaiari NA, Al-mutarid MA. The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review. IJMDC. Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alshaalan ZM, Alqahtani TAA, Alsaiari MKM, Al-ajbi GH, Alghtani HH, Almakhalas AMH, Kulaib FMA, Alsaiari NA, Al-mutarid MA. The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review. IJMDC, [cited October 17, 2026]; Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090


Harvard Style

Alshaalan, Z. M., Alqahtani, . T. A. A., Alsaiari, . M. K. M., Al-ajbi, . G. H., Alghtani, . H. H., Almakhalas, . A. M. H., Kulaib, . F. M. A., Alsaiari, . N. A. & Al-mutarid, . M. A. (2026) The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review. IJMDC, Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090


Turabian Style

Alshaalan, Ziad M., Taif Abdullah A. Alqahtani, Miad Khamis M Alsaiari, Ghzlan Hadi Al-ajbi, Hind Hussain Alghtani, Alhanouf Mofareh H Almakhalas, Fatimah Mohammed Al Kulaib, Nouf Ali Alsaiari, and Mohammed Ali Al-mutarid. 2026. The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090


Chicago Style

Alshaalan, Ziad M., Taif Abdullah A. Alqahtani, Miad Khamis M Alsaiari, Ghzlan Hadi Al-ajbi, Hind Hussain Alghtani, Alhanouf Mofareh H Almakhalas, Fatimah Mohammed Al Kulaib, Nouf Ali Alsaiari, and Mohammed Ali Al-mutarid. "The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alshaalan, Ziad M., Taif Abdullah A. Alqahtani, Miad Khamis M Alsaiari, Ghzlan Hadi Al-ajbi, Hind Hussain Alghtani, Alhanouf Mofareh H Almakhalas, Fatimah Mohammed Al Kulaib, Nouf Ali Alsaiari, and Mohammed Ali Al-mutarid. "The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. Web. 17 Oct 2026 doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alshaalan, Z. M., Alqahtani, . T. A. A., Alsaiari, . M. K. M., Al-ajbi, . G. H., Alghtani, . H. H., Almakhalas, . A. M. H., Kulaib, . F. M. A., Alsaiari, . N. A. & Al-mutarid, . M. A. (2026) The interrelationship between acne and depression: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, Online First: 17 Oct, 2026. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1786033090




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