Photodynamic Therapy With Topical 5% 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for the Treatment of Truncal Acne in Asian Patients.
BACKGROUND
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an effective treatment for acne vulgaris. However, there is no clear consensus on the treatment regime in Asians.<BR />


OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of 5% ALA PDT in the treatment of truncal acne in Asians.<BR />


METHODS
Patients with truncal acne were treated with 5%-ALA under occlusion for 3 hours. All were subsequently treated with a red light source at wavelength 630 nm and an irradiance of 38mW/cm2giving a total dose of 37 J/cm2. The numbers of acne lesions were recorded at baseline and regular intervals after treatment together with any adverse effects.<BR />


RESULTS
Fifteen patients were recruited. Overall, there was a 64.2% reduction in the inflammatory lesions count and a 24.3% reduction in the non-inflammatory lesions count at the end of the 12 weeks follow-up. Both mean lesions counts were significantly lower than baseline at all follow-up time points with paired t tests (all P values <0.05). Pain was well tolerated among our patients.<BR />


CONCLUSIONS
A single treatment session of 5%-ALA PDT was effective for the treatment of truncal acne with little side effects and acceptable in our Asian patients.<BR /><BR /> <em>J Drugs Dermatol</em>. 2016;15(6):727-732.
Yik Weng
YW
Yew
Yi Chun
YC
Lai
Yen Loo
YL
Lim
Wei-Sheng
WS
Chong
Colin
C
Theng
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D044466:Asian People; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D060726:Torso / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid