title: Current indications for isotretinoin as a treatment for acne vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is at present little published information on the current indications for isotretinoin as a treatment of acne vulgaris.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the factors which influence our current prescribing of isotretinoin: acne severity, response to previous therapy, scarring and psychological effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on the factors influencing treatment of 200 patients with isotretinoin between January 1993 and May 1994 were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  41% of patients were prescribed isotretinoin for partial response to previous therapy, 26% for partial therapy and scarring and 17% for partial response to treatment and psychological disturbance. Only 16 patients received isotretinoin for severe acne.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who show only partial response to conventional antibiotic therapy should be prescribed isotretinoin in order to minimize scarring and significant psychological disturbance, independently of the severity of the acne.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, General Infirmary at Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goulden
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Layton
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Cunliffe
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin