title: A randomized double-blind study to assess the effects of silicic acid compared to placebo in patients with mild to moderate acne.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the efficacy and safety of silicic acid in comparison to placebo in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty adult patients with facial acne vulgaris were randomized to silicic acid or placebo applied twice daily for 8 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by number of acne lesions, acne grade and sebum excretion rate (SER). Clinical safety and tolerance were also assessed and global assessments and psychological profile questionnaires were completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between silicic acid and placebo in the number of inflamed lesions (the primary efficacy variable). In contrast, silicic acid significantly reduced the number of non-inflamed lesions, total acne lesions and the acne grade after 8 weeks and SER over 4 weeks when compared with placebo. There were no significant differences between silicic acid and placebo in the responses to the questionnaires or the global assessments after 8 weeks. Silicic acid was well tolerated with few adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Silicic acid may have a positive treatment effect on the non-inflammatory component of mild to moderate facial acne. These preliminary findings now need to be confirmed by similar studies.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Unit, Leeds Foundation for Dermatological Research, Department of Dermatology, General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds, UK. catherine.fernandez@leedsth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Cunliffe
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012824:Silicic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012824:Silicic Acid