ABSTRACT
Isotretinoin (ISO) is an oral prescription-only retinoid, well known for its acne-treating effect. However, it affects a substantial number of human cell types, causing a broad spectrum of adverse effects. The purpose of this study is to establish the isotretinoin therapy adverse events among human clinical trials and their prevalence. Two authors (J.K., J.L.) systematically performed the literature review and assessment from December 2021-February 2022. Three databases (PubMed, ClinicalTrials, and Cochrane Library) were searched using the following terms: "isotretinoin acne vulgaris" for published studies in English from 1980-2021. Finally, 25 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and five open-label clinical trials provided 3274 acne vulgaris suffering patients. Isotretinoin therapy affects almost all of the systems in the human body, causing numerous adverse events. However, they mainly concern mild mucocutaneous conditions (severe cases are rare) and represent individual responses to a drug. In addition, all adverse events are reversible and can be avoided by specific preparations.
Subject(s)
Acne Vulgaris , Isotretinoin , Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy , Administration, Oral , Humans , Isotretinoin/adverse effectsSubject(s)
Acne Vulgaris , COVID-19 , Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy , Humans , Isotretinoin/adverse effects , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients with acne vulgaris continue to present increasingly in dermatology outpatient clinics and seek treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. As far as we know, the effect of isotretinoin on COVID-19 has not been studied before. AIM: We aimed to evaluate whether patients receiving oral isotretinoin are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection by comparing them with patients on topical treatment for acne vulgaris. METHODS: The data were collected retrospectively from a cohort of 267 acne vulgaris patients, who were under follow-up for acne vulgaris treatment during the pandemic period. RESULTS: Total of 227 patients (141 receiving isotretinoin treatment and 86 receiving topical treatment) were included of whom 29 patients had COVID-19 infection during acne vulgaris treatment. Fifteen (10.6%) patients were receiving oral isotretinoin and 14 (16.3%) were receiving topical acne treatment at the time of COVID-19 infection. The mean cumulative dose was 2340 ± 1988 mg at the time of COVID-19 infection. The mean elapsed time between the onset of isotretinoin treatment and positive PCR result for COVID-19 was 13.3 ± 10.3 weeks. Nine patients (64.3%) receiving isotretinoin treatment and 9 patients (60%) under topical treatment had loss of taste and smell during COVID-19 infection. Isotretinoin treatment was not found to be associated with a significant increased risk of getting COVID-19 (odds ratio, 0.671; 95% confidence interval, 0.247-1.823; P = 0.434). CONCLUSION: As a conclusion, the results of this study encourage dermatologists and acne vulgaris patients to initiate oral isotretinoin treatment safely during the pandemic period.
Subject(s)
Acne Vulgaris , COVID-19 , Dermatologic Agents , Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy , Acne Vulgaris/epidemiology , Administration, Oral , Cohort Studies , Dermatologic Agents/adverse effects , Humans , Isotretinoin/adverse effects , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate whether acne treatment agent systemic isotretinoin causes susceptibility to COVID-19 disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients admitted to a single center due to acne between March 2020 and December 2020 were included. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of acne patients receiving systemic isotretinoin or topical treatments. The patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded. RESULTS: 302 patients who used isotretinoin and 329 patients who used topical treatment were included in the study. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of age (p = 0.151). It was found that of the 302 patients who used isotretinoin, 33 had PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and two of these had PCR positivity, while of the 329 patients who received topical treatment, 45 had PCR test and five of these had PCR positivity. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of having SARS-CoV-2 positivity with PCR (p = 0.692). CONCLUSION: Susceptibility to COVID-19 disease was not observed in patients using systemic isotretinoin.