Oral isotretinoin for acne: a complete overview.

INTRODUCTION: Acne is one of the most common and widespread skin conditions, affecting the health as much as patients' quality of life. A wide variety of treatments for acne, topical and systemics, could be prescribed, depending on its degree of severity. Isotretinoin, a derivative of retinol, has been widely used for the treatment of severe forms of acne and those forms not responding to conventional treatments. In literature, there are several studies describing its efficacy, also reporting side-effects related to the drug; therefore, this has led the scientific community to request further studies qualifying its characteristics and comparing its efficacy and safety with other classic acne treatments, as well as with different treatment regimes, in order to find the dose with the best efficacy/safety ratio. AREAS COVERED: The aim of this article is to provide a complete overview on the use of oral isotretinoin for the treatment of acne describing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the drug. EXPERT OPINION: Oral isotretinoin represents a valid therapeutic alternative in treating severe and mild-to-moderate acne lesions, also reducing scarring damage. There are no standardized protocols regarding the use of oral isotretinoin and its association with other therapies; however, the correct patient selection and a tailored treatment protocol according to acne lesions severity and type should be considered in order to obtain optimal results.

Assessment of the efficacy, skin acceptability and cosmetic quality of an adjuvant cream based on 40% urea and amino-inositol in the treatment of mild psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a multifactorial genesis. Structural changes are encountered in psoriasis and skin barrier function is impaired. Tight junctions (TJs) play a key role in skin barrier dysfunction. Loss of profilaggrin or filaggrin leads to changes in the stratum corneum and consequent loss of water and the development of xerosis. METHODS: We carried out an observational study to evaluate the efficacy, skin acceptability and cosmetic qualities of a cream formulation, based on 40% urea and amino-inositol, in the treatment of mild psoriasis in the absence of other associated cosmetic/pharmacological treatments. All parameters were evaluated before (T0) and after 4 weeks (T4). Efficacy assessment was based on both clinical evaluation and photographic documentation. RESULTS: The results showed significant clinical improvement (-64.18% PASI, -57.11% BSA, -61.84% Plaque Score, -41.86% PGA and -76.34% VAS -77.5 DLQI) in 4 weeks of treatment. No significant side effects were reported. Similarly, the degree of satisfaction with the product and adherence to its use were particularly satisfactory among patients. CONCLUSIONS: The tested product was found to be a promising, effective adjuvant treatment in patients with mild psoriasis, and was also useful in reducing itchy symptoms, the impact on quality of life, as well as significantly reducing the clinical signs of psoriasis.