Evaluation of effectiveness of combined use of COC and topical preparation containing azelaic acid for acne

Abstract

The article presents the results of evaluating the effectiveness of the combined use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) and Skinoren cream in severe papular-pustular and moderate nodular-cystic acne.Material and methods. Patients of the first group (n = 11) used COC and an external antibacterial drug two times a day for the treatment of acne. Patients of the second group (n = 12) used COC and an external drug containing azelaic acid (Skinoren) for the treatment of acne two times a day. The duration of follow-up was 6 months. The efficiency assessment was carried out taking into account the dynamics of the indicators of the IGA (Investors Global Assessment) scale. The Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) was used to assess the effectiveness of post-acne correction. In addition, the effectiveness was evaluated based on the results of the mexametry.Results. When evaluating IGA in the comparison groups in patients with severe papulopustular acne and moderate nodular cystic acne, comparable efficacy was noted, but the best results were recorded in the COC + Skinoren group (p < 0.05). No effect and deterioration of the condition were observed in any group. When assessing MSS, the most pronounced changes were observed in patients of group 2, where the combination of COC + Skinoren was used. So, in group 1, the severity of scars decreased by 42.3 %, in group 2 by 48.2 % (p < 0.05). The evaluation of the results of the mexametry showed a more pronounced decrease in the amount of pigment in patients from group 2. When studying the results of the severity of erythema, the dynamics similar to the severity of the pigment was obtained. The best result was registered in group 2 (COC + Skinoren) (p < 0.05).Conclusions. The combined use of COC and Skinoren cream for severe papular-pustular and moderate nodular-cystic acne has proven to be an effective method both in relation to the number of inflammatory and retention elements, and in relation to hyperpigmentation.