Benefits of AccutaneBenefits of AccutaneGuy F. Webster MD, PhDGuy F. Webster MD, PhD

Vice Chair, Department of DermatologyVice Chair, Department of Dermatology

Jefferson Medical CollegeJefferson Medical College

TopicalsTopicals

Orals and TopicalsOrals and Topicals

OralsOrals

AccutaneAccutane

Psychosocial Effects of AcnePsychosocial Effects of Acne

Acne is a long-lasting chronic diseaseAcne is a long-lasting chronic disease

Increased anxietyIncreased anxiety

Increased depressionIncreased depression

Increased self consciousness and other Increased self consciousness and other parametersparameters

PSY130 6/16/00PSY130 6/16/00

Emotional Impairment Due to AcneEmotional Impairment Due to Acne

Dermatology out-patients had higher prevalence Dermatology out-patients had higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders (Hughes et al, 1983)of psychiatric disorders (Hughes et al, 1983)

Patients with severe acne were more anxious Patients with severe acne were more anxious (van der Meeren et al, 1985) (van der Meeren et al, 1985)

Patients with severe acne had higher states of Patients with severe acne had higher states of anxiety and anger (Wu et al, 1988)anxiety and anger (Wu et al, 1988)

IsotretinoinIsotretinoin

Correcting the altered pattern of follicular Correcting the altered pattern of follicular keratinizationkeratinization

Suppress sebaceous gland activitySuppress sebaceous gland activity

Decrease P.acnes (the only organism Decrease P.acnes (the only organism implicated in the causation of nodular acne)implicated in the causation of nodular acne)

Anti-inflammatoryAnti-inflammatory

December 2,1998

August 24,1998

November97

November97

Christmas97

March98

Accutane Improves AnxietyAccutane Improves Anxiety

Isotretinoin treatment produced significant Isotretinoin treatment produced significant improvements across wide variety of improvements across wide variety of psychological functions (Kellett and psychological functions (Kellett and Gawkrodger,1999)Gawkrodger,1999)

Treatment with isotretinoin reduced anxiety and Treatment with isotretinoin reduced anxiety and depression scores (Rubinow and Peck, 1987)depression scores (Rubinow and Peck, 1987)

PSY 040, (303), 9/1/00

Benefits of Isotretinoin in AcneBenefits of Isotretinoin in Acne

Lasting response in disfiguring diseaseLasting response in disfiguring disease

Short duration of treatmentShort duration of treatment

Long-term improvement in self-esteem Long-term improvement in self-esteem and functionand function