A comparative study of Acne Vulgaris with special reference to Therapeutic options

Abstract

Introduction: Acne vulgaris (AV), a human skin disease and commonly seen in adolescence. Affecting about 80–90% of teenagers in the Western population and lower rate are observed in rural societies. The present study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of various drugs used in different grades of acne accordingly. Materials and Methods: This study prospective comparative study f orty patients with mild degree of acne were included as group I and 40 patients with moderate degree of acne were considered as group II. Group I patients were divided into Tretinoin(0.004%) group and Adapalene(0.1% gel). Group II patients were divided into Clindamycin (1%) group and Clindamycin 1% gel plus Benzoyl peroxide 5% cream. All these patients were given topical gel as per the dosage schedule over a period of 12 weeks. The change occurred in acne lesions were recorded every 2 weekly follow-up using global assessment improvement scale. Results: Efficacy and cutaneous tolerance were assessed at baseline and 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks treatment, 75% of patients using Tretinoin showed good response to excellent response and 25% patients showed poor to fair response. At the end of 12 weeks treatment, 80% of patients using Adapalene showed good to excellent response. There is no significant difference between two groups. Topical Adapalene is eqally efficacious as Tretinoin. At the end of 12 weeks treatment, 45% of patients using only Clindamycin showed good to excellent response. While 90% of patients using both Clindamycin and Benzoyl peroxide showed good to excellent response. Combination of Clindamycin 1% gel with Benzoyl peroxide cream more efficacious than Clindamycin 1% gel alone in reducing the number of lesions in grade 2 acne. Conclusion: The present study showed there is n o significant difference between Adapalene (0.1%) and Tretinoin (0.04%) after 12 weeks of treatment. Significant reduction in number of inflammatory and total lesions were demonstr