Comparative Study of Efficacy of Topical Dapsone 5% Gel, Topical Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Alone and in Combination in Acne Vulgaris Patients

Abstract

Acne is an extremely common and a complex skin disorder with a significant detrimental effect on the quality of life of the patients. The aim of this study is to assess the comparative efficacy of topical dapsone 5% gel and topical BPO 2.5% alone and in combination in patients of acne over a 12 week period .Patients ith acne were selected randomly and divided into 3 groups in which one group received topical dapsone 5% gel, econd group topical BPO 2.5% and the third a combination of both. Grading of acne severity and laboratory investigations at baseline and at every two weeks were carried out. Significance testing was carried out with ppropriate statistical tests and P values of <0.05 were considered significant. Out of 150 patients with grade 1,2 ,3 acne enrolled in the study ,50 patients were treated with dapsone alone out of which 45(90%) patients with grade 1 and 2 acne showed 40% reduction in the number of inflammatory lesions. Among 50 patients who received BPO alone , 43(86%) showed 30% reduction in the inflammatory lesions and in the remaining 50 patients who received combination of dapsone and BPO 40(80%) patients showed 50% reduction. So patients treated with a combination of dapsone and BPO showed better results than monotherapy .