Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease characterized by comedones, inflammatory lesions, secondary dispigmentation and scarring with a large impact on quality of life. There has been much debate as to whether liver function tests and lipids should be monitored while on therapy. The objective of the study is to evaluate the lipid profile changes in patients with moderate to severe acne on oral intermittent low dose isotretinoin therapy. Setting: Dermatology outpatient clinics, MIMS, Mandya. We included the 50 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe acne. All patients were treated with low dose isotretinoin and followed up in our outpatient clinics for 20 weeks. Patients were subjected to an interview questionnaire which included data on age, gender, previous treatment and liver enzymes. Blood analysis were repeated in the follow-up visits baseline, 4, 8,12,16, 20 weeks. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL of 50 patients aged 15-40 years receiving isotretinoin for moderate to severe acne were monitored before, during and every month interval for 4 months. There was a statistically significant increase in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL with the decrease in the HDL level when compared with the baseline. The results in the study showed that the use of oral isotretinoin for the treatment of acne resulted in altered total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL but the increase in the parameters is mild so as to not interrupt the treatment. Our study show that intermittent isotretinoin therapy has not much effect on the lipid profile and the adverse effects can be treated without interrupting the treatment.

Authors and Affiliations