Challenges and barriers to start isotretinoin in acne patients
Mana Alharbi
Abstract
Background
The awareness of patients with acne about the side effects of isotretinoin is an important factor to reduce non-compliance with isotretinoin therapy, especially with long-term use.
Aims
The objective was to assess gender-specific awareness and concerns of isotretinoin among patients with acne.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among acne patients of both genders attending dermatology outpatient clinics at a tertiary care hospital.
Results
A total 356 acne patients were included in the current analysis. The average age was 23.6±5.8 years. More than half of the patients (57.6 per cent) were females and the majority (79.5 per cent) were single. The majority of the patients were aware of isotretinoin (79.1 per cent) and its side effects (63.0 per cent). The most frequently recognized side effect was dryness (55.1 per cent), followed by teratogenicity (28.5 per cent), disturbance of lipid profile (9.3 per cent), and finally constipation (7.0 per cent). Compared to males, females were more likely to know and to be concerned about the teratogenic side effect of isotretinoin (p=0.022 and p < 0.001, respectively). The most important source of information about isotretinoin was physician (61.9 per cent), followed by patients (13.9 per cent), friends (8.8 per cent), and finally internet (8.1 per cent).
Conclusion
The awareness of specific isotretinoin side effects among a group of young Saudi patients with acne was suboptimal. Females were more likely to be aware of and concerned about the teratogenic side effect isotretinoin. The majority of our patients prefer to receive isotretinoin information from trusted official sources. The findings highlight the dermatologist role in health education and counselling on acne and its treatments.
Full Text:
The awareness of patients with acne about the side effects of isotretinoin is an important factor to reduce non-compliance with isotretinoin therapy, especially with long-term use.
Aims
The objective was to assess gender-specific awareness and concerns of isotretinoin among patients with acne.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among acne patients of both genders attending dermatology outpatient clinics at a tertiary care hospital.
Results
A total 356 acne patients were included in the current analysis. The average age was 23.6±5.8 years. More than half of the patients (57.6 per cent) were females and the majority (79.5 per cent) were single. The majority of the patients were aware of isotretinoin (79.1 per cent) and its side effects (63.0 per cent). The most frequently recognized side effect was dryness (55.1 per cent), followed by teratogenicity (28.5 per cent), disturbance of lipid profile (9.3 per cent), and finally constipation (7.0 per cent). Compared to males, females were more likely to know and to be concerned about the teratogenic side effect of isotretinoin (p=0.022 and p < 0.001, respectively). The most important source of information about isotretinoin was physician (61.9 per cent), followed by patients (13.9 per cent), friends (8.8 per cent), and finally internet (8.1 per cent).
Conclusion
The awareness of specific isotretinoin side effects among a group of young Saudi patients with acne was suboptimal. Females were more likely to be aware of and concerned about the teratogenic side effect isotretinoin. The majority of our patients prefer to receive isotretinoin information from trusted official sources. The findings highlight the dermatologist role in health education and counselling on acne and its treatments.
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