The Effect of Isotretinoin Administration on Anxiety and Depression Scores in Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Background and Design: In this study, we aimed to determine whether isotretinoin, used in the treatment of acne vulgaris, causes depression and anxiety symptoms by evaluating its effect on depression and anxiety scale scores. Materials and Methods: Eighty-nine acne vulgaris patients (F/M: 60/29, age range: 16-36 years), who had attended the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology at Haseki Education and Research Hospital between 2007 and 2009, were enrolled in the study. The clinical severity of acne vulgaris was between grade 4 and grade 8 according to Allen-Smith Scale. All patients were unresponsive to several previously applied topical acne preparations or systemic antibiotics treatments and had indication for isotretinoin use. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was administered to all patients twice; before and at the end of 16-week treatment. Results: There was no significant difference between pre- and post-treatment anxiety and depression frequency and scores in patients treated with isotretinoin (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study do not support the presence of association between isotretinoin and depression.