Mobile teledermatology helping patients control high-need acne: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Digital Health
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Acne vulgaris presents significant physical and psychological challenges.
• Effective management of severe acne is crucial for patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare mobile teledermatology with standard outpatient care for high-need facial acne.
• To evaluate treatment efficacy, safety, and patient compliance in both groups.
• To assess patient satisfaction with remote acne care.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-nine patients with severe facial acne were randomized into teleconsultation (TCA) or outpatient consultation (OCA) arms.
• Both groups received isotretinoin treatment over 24 weeks.
• Acne severity was assessed using the Global Acne Severity Scale (GEA) and total lesion count (TLC).

Main Results:

• Both TCA and OCA achieved comparable therapeutic outcomes (GEA-score: ∆=2.25 vs ∆=2.0; TLC: ∆=89.08 vs ∆=91.21).
• Fewer adverse reactions were observed in the teledermatology group (TCA).
• Patient satisfaction with mobile teledermatology was high, despite occasional desire for live supervision.

Conclusions:

• Mobile teledermatology is an effective and safe method for treating high-need facial acne.
• It serves as a valuable adjunct to traditional outpatient dermatology services.
• Larger studies are recommended to further validate these findings.