Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction in Acne Patients Treated with Oral Isotretinoin

Abstract

Oral isotretinoin is effective in the clinical control of acne, but the relationship between this treatment and its psychosocial impact on the patient has not been completely clarified. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of oral isotretinoin in total accumulated doses of 120 mg/kg in a sample of 346 patients with moderate acne was useful in controlling symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and improving quality of life. A further objective was to ascertain the level of patient satisfaction with the treatment. After 30 weeks, there was a significant reduction in clinical symptoms (p < 0.001). The negative impact on quality of life, measured with the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Health Survey Short-Form-36 (p < 0.001), showed a significant reduction, as did the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores for anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0.005). At the end of the study, the mean level of patient satisfaction with improvement of symptoms was 84.4%.

Acne Pathogenesis: History of Concepts

“…Marron et al [390] published similar results. After 30 weeks of treatment of 346 patients, they could observe a significant reduction of the negative impact on quality of life as did the depression scale scores for anxiety and depression [390]. Following the study of Bremner et al [388], Rowe et al [391] published recommendations prior to the initiation of isotretinoin, throughout treatment and for a period following the cessation of treatment: establishing the degree of the impact the patients' acne has on their quality of life; identifying mental health for each patient concurrently with the prescription of isotretinoin; reducing the initial dose of isotretinoin in order to alleviate the patient's concerns about using the medication; performing routine baseline investigations prior to the prescription of isotretinoin; monitoring the mental state of patients from 4 weeks after the beginning of isotretinoin; referring to a mental health practitioner if mental symptoms are identified [391].…”

“…They even found a significant improvement of the Beck's Depression Inventory score [389]. Marron et al [390] published similar results. After 30 weeks of treatment of 346 patients, they could observe a significant reduction of the negative impact on quality of life as did the depression scale scores for anxiety and depression [390].…”

Dermatologic care of sexual and gender minority/LGBTQIA youth, Part 2: Recognition and management of the unique dermatologic needs of SGM adolescents

“…Nevertheless, it should also be noted that the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne using oral isotretinoin has the potential to decrease anxiety and depression and to improve quality of life. 49,50 Second, limited evidence suggests that isotretinoin may delay wound healing for up to 6 to 12 months. 51 Future plans for gender-affirming procedures must be discussed prior to isotretinoin initiation to avoid delays in surgical treatments.…”

Akne Vulgarisli Hastalarda İzotretinoin Tedavisinin Uyku ve Yaşam Kalitesine Etkisi

“…Öte yandan, izotretinoin tedavisinin AV hastalarında depresyon riskini azalttığı ve yaşam kalitesinde belirgin düzelmeye neden olduğu gösterilmiştir (5,6).…”