isotretinoin and Spondylarthropathies

Oral isotretinoin is commonly prescribed for acne vulgaris. Several case reports and observational studies have reported serious musculoskeletal side effects; however, the incidence, imaging findings, and longitudinal follow-up data are limited for patients who develop inflammatory back pain (IBP).. To assess the incidence of isotretinoin-triggered axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in acne vulgaris patients based on clinical features and MRI findings and to examine clinical and radiological outcomes following drug withdrawal.. Five hundred thirteen acne patients receiving isotretinoin were screened for IBP; IBP patients were assessed for CRP, plain radiographs, and MRI of the sacroiliac joint. MRI-proven sacroiliitis was scored semi-quantitatively. Patients were followed longitudinally to assess SpA clinical course and longitudinal MRI sacroiliac joints, and CRP levels were reassessed 3 weeks after patients were symptom-free, following isotretinoin discontinuation.. Of the 513 patients, 23.98% developed IBP. MRI-proven sacroiliitis was detected in 42.3% of the symptomatic patients or 10.1% of the cohort. Among MRI-proven sacroiliitis cases, 51.9% fulfilled the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria for axial SpA. Mean CRP level was 32.05 ± 17.23 mg/L at pain onset and 3.4 ± 2.7 mg/L after symptom resolution. MRI findings completely resolved within 9 months (mean 6.27 ± 1.7) after isotretinoin discontinuation. MRI scores positively correlated with baseline CRP levels and global acne grading system score, pain, and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score.. Isotretinoin-induced axial SpA is a prevalent side effect in acne vulgaris patients. Early detection and follow-up of isotretinoin-induced sacroiliitis can be facilitated by MRI. Cessation of isotretinoin resulted in complete resolution in all affected patients.Key Points• Detection of underdiagnosed isotretinoin side effects which are common but not always correctly diagnosed and managed.• Incidence, diagnosis, and management of these side effects in a real-world setting.• This is the first large prospective longitudinal cohort study to report on axial manifestations in patients treated with isotretinoin as well as the effect of drug cessation upon the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Dermatologic Agents; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Isotretinoin; Longitudinal Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Pain Measurement; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Sacroiliitis; Severity of Illness Index; Spondylarthropathies; Young Adult

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the pilosebaceous unit of the skin. Isotretinoin is a systemic retinoid that is often used as an effective treatment option for severe and treatment-resistant acne. Isotretinoin may also cause rheumatologic symptoms. The aim of this prospective observational study was to present followup results regarding the rheumatologic symptoms of patients who received systemic therapy for the treatment of acne (isotretinoin and tetracycline).. For inclusion in the study, all consecutive patients with acne who were aged > 18 years were evaluated by the same dermatologist. The first 42 consecutive patients were included in the isotretinoin group, and after matching for age and sex, 32 consecutive patients were included in the tetracycline group. Isotretinoin treatment was planned as an average dose of 30 mg daily and a total dose of 120-150 mg/kg for 4-6 months. The patients were administered a dose of 1 g/day of tetracycline as 2 equal doses for 3 months.. Forty-two patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris were treated with isotretinoin 20.6 ± 4.4 (male/female: 17/22), and 32 patients were treated with tetracycline 20.6 ± 2.7 (male/female: 8/24). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to age and sex. Unilateral Achilles enthesopathy developed in 3 patients, whereas both Achilles enthesopathy and unilateral sacroiliitis developed in 1 patient. Inflammatory back pain developed in 6 patients in the isotretinoin group.. To our knowledge, this was the first prospective observational study that assessed the rheumatologic symptoms of isotretinoin treatment. The spondyloarthropathy findings were identified in 23.1% of the patients who used isotretinoin.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Age Distribution; Cohort Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Isotretinoin; Male; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Distribution; Spondylarthropathies; Tetracycline; Young Adult