ABSTRACT
To determine the clinical efficacy of oral isotretinoin in the treatment of severe acne and assess its effect on total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-cholesterol]. A cohort, descriptive, hospital-based study. Al-Ain Medical District, Tawam Hospital, United Arab Emirates, from 1994 to 2002. A total of 198 patients seen at Tawam Hospital, referred with acne vulgaris for a minimum of 6 weeks, were treated by isotretinoin for the first time, were included in the study. Variables studied were as per objectives apart from demographics and distribution. The study included 63 [32%] males and 135 [68%] females of mean age [ +/- SD] of 21.3 +/- 5.6 years. Majority [81%] of patients was under 25 years. Of them, 26 patients had family history of acne. The most common site of acne was on face [66.7%], followed by trunk [26.2%] and neck [9.1%]. Of 198 patients treated, 32.8% were cured, 19.1% markedly improved, 11.1% moderately improved and 24.2% of patients were advised for further treatment. There was no marked change in total and LDL-cholesterol, while LDL and triglycerides changed markedly. In acne patients, isotretinoin is effective in producing remission. In addition, it was safe and its effect on serum lipids was transient, especially in healthy and young patients with normal liver functions