[The effectiveness of oral cyproterone acetate in combination with ethinylestradiol in acne tarda of the facial type].
BACKGROUND
Cyproterone acetate is a potent antiandrogen with strong progestational activity. In combination with ethinyloestradiol, it has been shown to be of clinical benefit to women displaying signs of androgenization, such as acne, seborrhoea and hirsutism. In addition, this combined oestrogen/progestogen preparation provides effective contraceptive protection.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this open-label, multicentre study was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of a preparation containing cyproterone acetate and ethinyloestradiol in women with various grades of facial acne.


METHODS
A total of 890 women aged from 15 to 50 years with grade I-IV facial acne according to the classification of Plewig and Kligman, participated in the study.


METHODS
Patients received six cycles of a preparation containing 2 mg cyproterone acetate and 0.035 mg ethinyloestradiol (EE/CPA). Changes from baseline counts of individual acne lesions (open and closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodes and cysts) were monitored together with the simultaneous presence of seborrhoea and hirsutic signs. Reductions in the number of all and individual lesions were classified as: 75-100%, "very good"; 50-75%, "good"; 25-50%, "moderate"; < or = 25%, "absence of therapeutic effect". Body weight and blood pressure were recorded throughout the study. Adverse events and reasons for premature withdrawal from treatment were documented.


RESULTS
A "good" or "very good" therapeutic response (i.e. reduction in the total lesion count of > 50%) was seen in 82.8% (95% CI 80.1-85.5) of patients after six cycles of EE/CPA. A similar response was achieved in the different grades of acne with a significant decrease in the number of all lesions throughout the study (p < 0.05). A greater than 50% reduction in open and closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodes and cysts was observed in 75.6%, 80.0%, 88.4% and 85.1% of patients, respectively. By the end of the study, 64.3% of women displayed a lower grade of acne and only 4.9% experienced exacerbation of the condition. EE/CPA was well tolerated, with only 3.4% of patients discontinuing treatment because of adverse events. The majority of events were described as mild, and their incidence declined as the study progressed. No clinically significant changes in blood pressure and body weight were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
EE/CPA is an effective treatment for acne of all grades and all types of lesion. The preparation is well tolerated and would appear to be an appropriate treatment for women with these symptoms of androgenization.
Gollnick
H
H
Département de Dermatologie et Vénéréologie, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdebourg, Allemagne.
Albring
M
M
Brill
K
K
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000188:drug therapy; D004338:Drug Combinations; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D004338:Drug Combinations; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate