[Isotretinoin and depressive symptoms in patiens with severe and recurrent acne]

Since use of isotretinoin for acne management it has been published controversial results about its association with depression. The objective of this study was to know if use of isotretinoin in patients with severe and recurrent acne (SRA) is associated with depression.

22 patients with diagnosis of SRA were included from the National Medical Center La Raza's Acne Clinic. They completed the Beck Depression inventory (IDB-II) before, during (2 months) and after treatment with isotretinoin (4 months), calculated at 0.5 mg/kg.

The patients reported low depressive symptoms before treatment that reduced at the end (median=6 and 0, respectively, p<0.001).

Treatment with isotretinoin in this sample of patients with severe and recurrent acne produced no increase in depressive symptoms, but improvement, due to the best corporal image self-perception.