A Prospective Study of the Effects of Isotretinoin on Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation
DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, cilt.2026, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 2026 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1155/dth/5899771
- Dergi Adı: DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
BackgroundAcne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. The association between isotretinoin treatment and depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation remains controversial.Materials and MethodsIn this prospective study, 143 patients with moderate-to-severe acne (mean age: 21.9 +/- 4.5 years) were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: systemic isotretinoin and a control group. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation were assessed at baseline and at the 2nd and 4th months with the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Scales.ResultsBoth groups showed significant reductions in mean depression and anxiety scores at the 4th month compared to baseline. No significant differences in depression and anxiety severity were found between the isotretinoin and control groups at baseline, 2nd, or 4th month. Suicidal ideation occurred in four patients in the isotretinoin group, most of whom had baseline psychiatric risk factors.ConclusionIn this study, isotretinoin treatment for moderate-to-severe acne was not associated with an increase in symptoms of depression or anxiety; in contrast, depression and anxiety scores decreased over time, similar to the control group. Large prospective studies with both pre- and posttreatment follow-up are needed to evaluate isotretinoin and the risk of suicidal ideation.