Evaluation of the effectiveness of a combination of incoherent broadband light (IPL) and low doses of systemic isotretinoin compared with monotherapy with standard doses of isotretinoin in patients with acne

BACKGROUND: Long-term experience of clinical use of isotretinoin for acne indicates that it has a good safety and efficacy profile; however, against the background of taking standard doses of isotretinoin, pronounced adverse events that are dose-dependent are noted. Therefore, the search for new combined treatment regimens that reduce the dose of isotretinoin is an urgent task.

AIMS: The aim of our work was to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of incoherent broadband light (IPL) and low doses of systemic isotretinoin (0.1–0.3 mg/kg of body weight per day) compared with monotherapy with standard doses of isotretinoin (0.5–1 mg/kg of body weight per day) in patients with acne.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the study, the dermatological status of patients was assessed taking into account the dermatological index GSS (Global Severity Scog), dermatological acne index (DIA), IGA scale (Investigator's Global Assessment). For a comparative analysis of the impact of various techniques on the quality of life, a high-valid quality of life index (HQIQ) was used. Dermatological status and quality of life were assessed in patients before and after 6 months of therapy. 12 months after the end of therapy, patients were invited to the clinic to identify delayed relapses.

RESULTS: Evaluating the overall results of treatment of patients with moderate severity of acne by isotretinone monotherapy and combination therapy with low doses of isotretinoin and broadband incoherent light, the effectiveness of both methods can be noted, however, according to the global severity scale (GSS), clinical remission was significantly more often observed in the combination therapy group compared with the motor therapy group (88 and 74%, respectively, p <0.05). In addition, no relapses were detected after 12 months in the combination therapy group, and adverse events caused by the use of isotretionine were also less frequent.

CONCLUSION: Thus, the combination therapy of acne with low doses of isotretinoin and broadband incoherent light is more effective.