A Comparative Observational Study of Acne Severity Using the Global Acne Grading System Among Pitta-Pradhana and Kapha-Pradhana Prakṛti Individuals

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit with variable severity. Ayurveda considers Prakṛti an important determinant of individual variation. This study compared acne severity between Pitta-Pradhana and Kapha-Pradhana Prakṛti individuals using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS). Materials and Methods: A comparative observational study was conducted among 80 participants aged 18–30 years. Participants were classified into four Dvidoshaja Prakṛti subgroups: Pitta–Vata, Pitta–Kapha, Kapha–Vata, and Kapha–Pitta, with 20 participants each. Pitta-Pradhana and Kapha-Pradhana groups comprised 40 participants each. Acne severity was assessed using GAGS. Mean scores were compared using an independent-samples t-test, severity categories using the Chi-square test, and subgroup means using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test. Results: Mean GAGS score was significantly higher in Pitta-Pradhana (27.60±8.69) than Kapha-Pradhana (23.50±8.77) individuals (p=0.039; Cohen’s d=0.47). Category-wise association was not significant (χ²=5.987, p=0.112), but a significant linear trend was observed (p=0.030). Subgroup means differed significantly [F (3,76)=8.370, p<0.001], with the highest score in Pitta–Kapha and lowest in Kapha–Vata. Conclusion: Pitta-Pradhana individuals had higher mean acne severity than Kapha-Pradhana individuals. Larger studies are warranted.