title: Absence of efficacy of oral isotretinoin in hidradenitis suppurativa: a retrospective study based on patients' outcome assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In analogy to acne, oral isotretinoin has been considered in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of oral isotretinoin according to patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1999 to 2006, 358 consecutive HS patients were interviewed and examined. A standardized record of the data was performed for each patient during the first consultation. Patients were questioned regarding the effect of previous treatment with oral isotretinoin: patients had to grade the effect as either 'improved', 'no effect' or 'worse'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients (16.1%) declared an improvement, 67 patients (77%) no effect and 6 patients (6.9%) worsening of HS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our patients, oral isotretinoin is not effective in the treatment of HS.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor et Albert Chenevier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris 12, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soria
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Canoui-Poitrine
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolkenstein
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gabison
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pouget
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viallette
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Revuz
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin