title: Evaluation of the gastrointestinal findings of nodulocystic acnepatients during systemic isotretinoin therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Systemic isotretinoin treatment is an effective treatment modality for nodulocystic acne, the clinical use of which has been associated with reports of adverse events. We conducted a prospective study with the aim of determining the possible gastrointestinal and laboratory findings of nodulocystic acne patients during systemic isotretinoin treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients with nodulocystic acne completed the study. During the monthly follow-up visits, liver function tests and lipid profiles of the patients were evaluated and gastrointestinal system complaints were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We recorded a significant elevation in liver function tests and lipid profiles of the patients, the most prominent elevation being in plasma triglyceride concentrations. We observed that nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were the rare gastrointestinal symptoms encountered during systemic isotretinoin therapy. Constipation and anorectal bleeding were relatively more common symptoms and there seemed to be a relation between these two symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study is the first to analyze the gastrointestinal findings of patients during systemic isotretinoin treatment. Dermatologists and gastroenterologists must keep in mind that, as well as known laboratory findings like hypertriglyceridemia and elevated liver function tests, systemic isotretinoin therapy may also cause significant clinical gastrointestinal findings.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Duru
authors: D
authors: Tabanlioğlu Onan
authors: Department of Dermatology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Burcu
authors: B
authors: Hazar Tantoğlu
authors: Department of Dermatology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Nuran
authors: N
authors: Alli
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Seçil
authors: S
authors: Özkan
authors: Gastroenterology Unit, Konya Numune Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Ufuk
authors: U
authors: Samsar
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Hasan Tankut
authors: HT
authors: Köseoğlu
authors: Department of Dermatology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Refika Ferda
authors: RF
authors: Artüz
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin
keywords: Acne vulgaris; adverse effects; isotretinoin