Abstract

EVALUATION OF TREATMENT PATTERN FOR ACNE VULGARIS AT SAGAR MULTI SPECIALTY HOSPITAL, BENGLURU

Asal Tanhaei Saeid and Sridharamurthy*

ABSTRACT

Acne Vulgaris by definition is a multi-factorial chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units. It is notable for open or closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Various clinical presentations include seborrhea, comedones, erythromatous papules and pustules, less frequently nodules, deep pustules or pseudocysts, and ultimate scarring in few of them. Acne vulgaris develops earlier in females than in males. The most severe forms of Acne vulgaris occur more frequently in males, but the disease tends to be more persistent in females. Objective: To evaluate the treatment pattern for Acne Vulgaris. Methods: The study was prospective, observational and analytical. It includes 120 patients with age between 12-40 years and all the OPD patients diagnosed with Acne Vulgaris. Pregnancy, lactating mothers and in patients were excluded from the study. Result: A total of 120 patients were included in the study. The mean age of subjects was 23.16±5.25, median was 23. The minimum and maximum ages in candidates were 12 and 40 respectively. Among the total of 120 subjects under study, 101 (84.16%) were females and 19 (15.83%) were males. The females were the majority. The majority of the patients 55 (45.83%) were suffering from grade III Acne vulgaris. The most frequently used oral anti-acne drug was Isotretinoin which was prescribed for 83 (69%) in mostly of grade III and IV Acne vulgaris patients, and Azithromycin for 50 (42%) of trial subjects. Benzoyl peroxide had the advantage to prevent and eliminate the progress of Propionibacterium acne (P.acne) resistance and it was seen in 36 (30%) of the patients. As a topical polytherapy, Licorice extract, niacinamide, soy isoflavonoids, tetrahydrocurcuminoid, kojic acid in combination with clindamycin phosphate was prescribed for 36 (30%) of the patients. A total of 83 (69.16%) patients felt better and reported effectiveness of therapy. Conclusion: The prescription audit can be an eye opener for the prescribers. Such periodic audits should be conducted to rationalize the prescription, reduce errors, ADRs and associated complications and suggest effective management of acne. The present investigation on the treatment for acne vulgaris had given a clear picture of drugs for the effective treatment. The patients had showed excellent response when they were treated with Isotretinoin for grade III and grade IV Acne vulgaris. The antibiotic Azithromycin orally and Clindamycin for topical application was prescribed for all grades of acne.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris, Isotretinoin, Azithromycin.