[Informing the patient before treatment with etretinate]

We report on the results of an empirical investigation on medical information before treatment with the aromatic retinoid etretinate. Evaluation of the returned questionnaires showed that most patients could still remember some or even several side effects one year after conclusion of therapy. A few other patients, however, had completely forgotten that both verbal and written information had been given. The study leads to two recommendations relevant for practical application: 1. with women capable of bearing children, the information given on the teratogenicity of the retinoids and necessary contraception must be documented in writing. 2. Duplicates of information sheets or consent forms should be handed out to the patients.