Analysis of acne relapses in women after systemic retinoid therapy

Objective. To analyze the conditions and factors contributing to the development of acne recurrence after therapy with systemic retinoids. Acne is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis characterized by the formation of open and closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodes on skin areas rich in sebaceous glands, significantly disrupting the quality of life of patients. The most effective drugs for its treatment are systemic retinoids. They allow one to achieve complete cleansing of the skin, but even after their use relapses of the disease are possible.

Materials and methods. The study involved 65 women 1 year after the end of acne treatment with systemic retinoids, who were divided into two groups: group I was formed by 30 women with the development of acne relapses; group II included 35 women without acne relapses. The exclusion criteria were the following: severe endocrine pathology, the presence of cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, pregnancy and lactation, alcoholism, smoking. The study consisted of general clinical techniques and standard laboratory methods, including biochemical blood analysis with the determination of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, the level of pituitary hormones and sex hormones. Methods of parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to account for and analyze the results.

Results. In half of the cases, acne relapses were observed after a new coronavirus infection; much less often, in equal proportions, they developed after stress and menstrual cycle failure, there were patients who could not identify the factors preceding the recurrence of acne. The average age of patients with acne relapses after treatment with systemic retinoids was 24.6 ± 2.4 years, patients without acne relapses after appropriate therapy – 17.3 ± 1.8 years (p = 0.028). Burdened heredity for acne, combination of acne with seborrheic dermatitis and/or menstrual dysfunction by the type of menstrual arrhythmia were significantly more often determined in patients with acne relapses after therapy with systemic retinoids. In the same group, lipid metabolism disorders and hormonal changes in the form of increased levels of progesterone and androgens were observed significantly more often.

Conclusions. Acne, even after the therapy with systemic retinoids, can have a recurrent course. The main external factor, preceding relapse is a new coronavirus infection. Relapses after acne treatment with systemic retinoids are developed against the background of burdened heredity for acne, changes in lipid metabolism, persistent imbalance of sex hormones, as well as when acne is combined with seborrheic dermatitis. For pubertal acne without pronounced metabolic and endocrine changes, relapses after therapy with systemic retinoids are not typical.