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