A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of treatment of acne with oral isotretinoin therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease induced by hormonal changes — excessive androgen stimulation. Currently local and systemic treatment is used in average and severe form of juvenile acne. The basis of the systemic therapy are antibiotics and stereoisomer of all-trans-retinoic acid — isotretinoine.

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of isotretinoin therapy with other acne treatment regimens and the analysis of the side effects of isotretinoin in acne patients from Lodz.

Material and methods: The study was carried out through a questionnaire in a group of 132 acne patients (90 women and 42 men, with mean age 25,9 years) from the outpatient clinic of Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lodz treated between 2000–2014.

Results: The average age at first diagnosis among respondents was 15,7 years. A positive family history of the occurrence of juvenile acne was reported by 36.3% of the respondents, 63.6% of patients used isotretinoin. The improvement after using this drug was noted among 95% of people The average time to notice the improvement was 2 months from the start of application. Juvenile acne recurred after the discontinuation of isotretinoin in 33% of cases. The average time to recurrence was 3 months. The occurrence of at least one side effect was noticed by 85% of patients. More than 91% of patients were satisfied with isotretinoin treatment effects. Among the patients who did not used isotretinoin, 58% used lymecycline (71% noted improvement); 17% of patients used clindamycine, while azithromycin — 6%: in both cases improvement was reported by 66% of patients; 74% of women were informed about necessity of taking oral contraceptives.

Conclusions: Isotretinoin is an effective drug used in acne treatment. Despite many side effects, patients were satisfied with the treatment.