Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
10:46
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
10.9K
Isotretinoin and risk factors for suicide attempt: a population-based comprehensive case series and nested
C Droitcourt1,2,3,4, F Poizeau1,3,4, S Kerbrat3,4
1Department of Dermatology, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France.
Summary
Suicide attempts (SA) are rare in patients taking isotretinoin, but a history of psychiatric issues or anxiety significantly increases risk. Most patients continue isotretinoin after an SA, highlighting the need for careful risk-benefit evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Isotretinoin is a widely used acne medication, but its association with suicidal behavior remains controversial.
- Suicide attempts (SA) have been reported in patients undergoing isotretinoin treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients who attempted suicide while on isotretinoin.
- To identify risk factors for SA in patients treated with isotretinoin.
- To examine the management of isotretinoin in patients with SA.
Main Methods:
- A case series and case-control study were conducted using the Nationwide French Health Insurance database.
- Patients with SA during isotretinoin treatment were compared to matched controls exposed to isotretinoin.
- Psychiatric history at treatment initiation and continuation of isotretinoin after SA were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Out of 328,018 patients, 184 were hospitalized for SA; half had a prior psychiatric history.
- Multivariate analysis identified psychiatric history (OR 18.21) and anxiety (OR 4.78) as significant risk factors for SA.
- Over half of patients continued isotretinoin after SA, with dermatologist initiation inversely associated with continuation (OR 0.38).
Conclusions:
- Suicide attempts during isotretinoin treatment are infrequent.
- A significant proportion of patients experiencing SA have identifiable risk factors at treatment initiation.
- The decision to continue isotretinoin after a suicide attempt requires careful risk-benefit assessment.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
375
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
375
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
436
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
436
01:12Relative Risk
1.7K
Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
1.7K
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
406
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
406
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
1.4K
In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
1.4K
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
1.2K
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
1.2K