The Effects of Oral Isotretinoin in Women with Acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• Published in: BioMed research international Vol. 2019; no. 2019; pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: İpekMüderris, İptisam, Sahin, Erdem, Madendag, Yusuf, Kafadar, Yusuf Taner, Aksoy, H., Acmaz, Banu, Cınar, L., Açmaz, Gökhan, Ozdemir, Fatma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01-01-2019; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Acne; Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Acne Vulgaris - metabolism; Adolescent; Adult; Amenorrhea; Analysis; Androgens; Apoptosis; Cholesterol; Clinical Study; Contraceptives; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined - therapeutic use; Cysts; Dehydrogenases; Dermatology; Endocrinology; Female; Females; Gynecology; Headache; Health aspects; Hemoglobin; Humans; Hydroxyprogesterone; Hyperandrogenism - drug therapy; Hyperandrogenism - metabolism; Insulin; Insulin - metabolism; Insulin-like growth factors; Isotretinoin; Isotretinoin - therapeutic use; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Menstrual cycle; Menstrual Cycle - drug effects; Menstrual Cycle - metabolism; Menstruation; Migraine; Obstetrics; Patients; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - drug therapy; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - metabolism; Prospective Studies; Signs and symptoms; Smoking; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Testosterone; Testosterone - metabolism; Thrombophilia; Thyroid gland; Ultrasonic imaging; Women; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/2513067

Introduction. Many patients who were diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome- (PCOS-) related acne were not capable of sustaining or beginning oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) due to pill scaring, contraindications of OCP use, migraine, or smoking. In this situation, oral isotretinoin treatment may become an important option for PCOS-related acne. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of isotretinoin treatment on PCOS patients who were complicated with severe cystic acne. Materials and Methods. This study consisted of 40 female patients diagnosed as PCOS complicated with severe cystic acne. These patients were not eligible candidates for OCP use due to migraine, thrombophilia, heavy smoking, or pill scare. To establish baseline values of hormone levels, on days 2–5 of the menstrual cycle, venous blood samples were obtained. Moreover Modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score, acne score (AS), follicle count, and bilateral ovarian volumes were evaluated both before and after isotretinoin treatment. Results. Isotretinoin treatment significantly decreased Ferriman-Gallwey score, free testosterone, insulin level, hemoglobin level, acne score, and ovarian volume. Increased triglyceride and cholesterol levels were detected after treatment. Conclusion. Isotretinoin treatment may have beneficial effects on free testosterone, insulin, acne score, and Ferriman-Gallwey score. Solely isotretinoin administration may supply adequate healing in PCOS patients’ symptoms complicated with severe cystic acne who is not eligible candidates for OCP use. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02855138.