Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

Abstract

Chronic Scalp Folliculitis versus Acne Vulgaris (Observational Case Series Study)

Khalifa E Sharquie, Adil A Noaimi and Zeki M Mijthab

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebeceous units, of adolescents, and more likely to be associated with chronic scalp folliculitis
Objective: To assess the association between chronic scalp folliculitis with acne vulgaris and vise versa in Iraqi patients
Patients and methods: This observational case series study was done in Department of Dermatology- Baghdad Teaching Hospital from March 2009-July 2010. Two groups of patients were included: the first group (39) patients with chronic scalp folliculitis. Full history and examination were done for each patient. Also, careful history was taken from each patient recording the association with acne vulgaris. The second group consisted of 282 patients with acne vulgaris. Detailed history and examination of all patients were performed concerning the association with chronic scalp folliculitis.
Results: In the first group, the age of patients ranged from 16-33 years with a mean ± SD of 24.1 ± 5.4 years. Acne vulgaris was found in 28 (71.7%) patients. In the second group, the age of patients ranged from 13-32 with a mean ± SD of 21.5 ± 4.8 years. Chronic folliculitis of the scalp was found in 24 (8.5%) patients.
Conclusions: Chronic folliculitis of the scalp and acne vulgaris was closely associated and might share the same etiopathogeneic factors.