| Title | Depression and suicidal behavior in acne patients treated with isotretinoin: a systematic review. | | Author(s) | Marqueling AL, Zane LT | | Institution | Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, 94143-0316, USA. | | Source | Semin Cutan Med Surg 2005 Jun; 24(2):92-102. | | MeSH | Acne Vulgaris
Adolescent
Adult
Depression
Dermatologic Agents
Female
Humans
Isotretinoin
Male
Middle Aged
Suicide
Suicide, Attempted
| | Abstract | Isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic acid) is an effective treatment for severe cystic or recalcitrant acne vulgaris; however, concerns have been raised regarding its potential association with depression and suicidal behavior. We sought to explore the proposed relationship between isotretinoin use and the risk of depression and attempted and completed suicide in patients with acne vulgaris by performing a systematic literature search for studies reporting primary data on depression and suicidal behavior in patients treated with isotretinoin for acne vulgaris. Nine studies met the qualifying criteria for our analysis. Rates of depression among isotretinoin users ranged from 1% to 11% across studies, with similar rates in oral antibiotic control groups. Overall, studies comparing depression before and after treatment did not show a statistically significant increase in depression diagnoses or depressive symptoms. Some, in fact, demonstrated a trend toward fewer or less severe depressive symptoms after isotretinoin therapy. This decrease was particularly evident in patients with pretreatment scores in the moderate or clinical depression range. No correlation between isotretinoin use and suicidal behavior was reported, although only one retrospective study presented data on this topic. Although the current literature does not support a causative association between isotretinoin use and depression, there are important limitations to many of the studies. The available data on suicidal behavior during isotretinoin treatment are insufficient to establish a meaningful causative association. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
Review
| | PubMed ID | 16092797 |
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