Isotretinoin Retrial in patients with Acne Relapse

<h2 id="background">Background</h2><ul><li>Isotretinoin is the only acne medication that can achieve complete remission.</li><li>However, some patients have acne return and need repeat treatment. We need to identify who is at highest risk and how dosing affects outcomes.</li></ul><h2 id="objective">Objective</h2><ul><li>To determine rates of acne recurrence and repeat isotretinoin treatment, and identify risk factors in acne patients who completed isotretinoin therapy.</li></ul><h2 id="methods">Methods</h2><ul><li>Cohort study(2017—2024) in 19,907 Patients(Nean age: 20.6 + 7.8 years; Females 10,504(52.8%)&nbsp;</li><li>Participants: Patients &gt;12 years with acne who received isotretinoin &gt;4 months</li><li><strong>Follow-up:</strong> Minimum 1 year after treatment completion</li><li>Used Cox regression analysis to identify factors associated with acne recurrence and repeat isotretinoin treatment.</li></ul><h2 id="results">Results</h2><ul><li>Among the study population, 4,482 patients (22.5%) experienced acne recurrence and 1,639 patients (8.2%) required repeat isotretinoin treatment.</li><li>Female patients showed hiqher risk of acne recurrence while higher cumulative doses were protective(Table1)</li></ul><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1119/264;" src="https://cdn.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/Risk%20Factors%20for%20Acne%20Recurrence.webp" alt="Risk Factors for Acne Recurrence" width="1119" height="264"></figure><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:979/189;" src="https://cdn.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/Risk%20Factors%20for%20Repeat%20Treatment.webp" alt="Risk Factors for Repeat Treatment" width="979" height="189"></figure><ul><li><strong>Cumulative Dose Groups:</strong> Low(&lt;120 mq/kq), Conventional(120-220 mq/kq), High(&gt;220 mg/kq)</li><li>Hiqher cumulative doses reduced repeat treatment risk in low and conventional dose groups only</li><li>Daily dose did not affect outcomes in patients receivinq=120 mg/kq cumulative dose</li><li>Daily dose was not associated with recurrence risk at conventional and hiqh cumulative doses</li></ul><h2 id="conclusion" data-section="conclusion">Conclusion</h2><p>Higher total isotretinoin doses may reduce acne recurrence and need for repeat treatment. Since daily dose did not improve outcomes at standard total doses, daily dosing can be tailored to individual patient needs and preferences rather than following rigid protocols.</p>

Dermatology Update 2025   Issue 5

<ul><li><a href="#background">Background</a></li><li><a href="#objective">Objective</a></li><li><a href="#methods">Methods</a></li><li><a href="#results">Results</a></li><li><a href="#conclusion">Conclusion</a></li></ul>

Isotretinoin Retrial in patients with Acne Relapse

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