The effect of topical retinoids in treatment of acne vulgaris in Khartoum Teaching Dermatological Hospital

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 80% of young adults and adolescents. Prolonged therapy is often required for satisfactory results. Topical retinoids play a central role in acne treatment, with evidence supporting their efficacy in achieving significant improvements in acne symptoms. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of topical retinoids in treating acne vulgaris among patients at Khartoum Dermatology and Venereal Teaching Hospital from August 2019 to August 2020. Methods: A non-randomized interventional study was conducted at Khartoum Dermatology Teaching Hospital, covering patients diagnosed with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Data were entered, cleaned, and analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Results: The study included 100 patients. Of these, 38% were aged 25-35 years, and 70% were female. 92% had experienced acne symptoms for more than six months. Regarding treatment duration, 87% used topical retinoids for more than three months. Clinical improvement was observed in 83% of patients, while 14% showed no improvement, and 3% experienced worsened symptoms. Conclusions: Topical retinoids are effective in treating mild and moderate acne vulgaris.