Lower Facial Skin Hydration Is Associated with Greater Acne Vulgaris Severity in Indonesian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Febriana, Stefani Nurhadi, Irwin Priyatna Kusumah — Fri, 29 May 2026 06:19:10 +0000

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is increasingly recognized as a skin-barrier disease, yet data linking facial hydration to graded severity in tropical Asian young adults are scarce. This study aimed to determine the association between facial skin hydration and acne vulgaris severity in Indonesian university students.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analytic study, 33 students aged 17–25 years with acne vulgaris were enrolled by purposive sampling at a Surabaya dermatology clinic. Facial stratum corneum hydration was measured by capacitance and classed as dry (<35%), normal (35–50%) or moist (>50%); severity was graded by the Lehmann/Indonesian Acne Expert Meeting criteria. Associations were tested with chi-square, odds ratios, Spearman correlation, multivariable logistic regression and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results: Participants were predominantly female (69.7%); 54.5% had dry skin and 60.6% had moderate acne, with no severe cases. Lower hydration was significantly associated with greater severity (χ²=9.641, p=0.008; Cramér’s V=0.541). Dry skin conferred ten-fold higher odds of moderate acne (OR=10.00, 95% CI 1.94–51.54), and each 10% reduction in moisture independently raised the odds (adjusted OR=3.87, 95% CI 1.39–10.72, p=0.009). Facial moisture discriminated moderate acne well (AUC=0.792; Spearman ρ=−0.536, p=0.001).

Conclusion: Lower facial hydration is independently associated with more severe acne, supporting barrier-directed, non-comedogenic moisturization as an adjunct in acne care for Fitzpatrick III–V skin.

Sexual Orientation and HIV Coinfection Among Serofast Syphilis Patients: A Retrospective Analysis in Surakarta, Indonesia

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:22:38 +0000

Introduction: Syphilis and its serofast state — persistent low-level non-treponemal reactivity after adequate therapy — complicate the assessment of cure, particularly where HIV coinfection is common, and Indonesian data are scarce. This study profiled serofast syphilis patients and compared the determinants of HIV coinfection.

Methods: Retrospective analytic review of electronic medical records of all serofast syphilis patients attending Dr. Moewardi Regional General Hospital, Surakarta (January 2020–April 2026). Proportions are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI); HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups were compared by Fisher exact and chi-square tests with odds ratios (OR) and Cramér's V, multivariable logistic regression and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results: Of 46 patients, 91.3% were male, 45.7% aged 20–30 years, 39.1% had late latent syphilis, and 80.4% were HIV-coinfected (95% CI 66.8–89.3). Men who have sex with men accounted for 73.9% and strongly predicted HIV coinfection (OR 17.73, 95% CI 3.26–96.34; p<0.001; adjusted OR 41.56; AUC 0.838). Other characteristics were similar, and estimates were imprecise given the small comparison group.

Conclusion: Serofast syphilis in this setting reflects a young, male, MSM, HIV-coinfected population; sexual orientation best distinguishes coinfection, supporting integrated HIV monitoring rather than reflexive re-treatment.

Scientific Journal of Dermatology and Venereology

Lower Facial Skin Hydration Is Associated with Greater Acne Vulgaris Severity in Indonesian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sexual Orientation and HIV Coinfection Among Serofast Syphilis Patients: A Retrospective Analysis in Surakarta, Indonesia