Psychological Status and Quality of Life in Acne Patients Treated with Oral Isotretinoin.

INTRODUCTION: The acne patients are at higher risk of acquiring depresion and anxiety, which can lead to reduced quality of life. Effective treatment of acne can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and significantly improve other physiological parameters and quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the psychological status and quality of life of acne patients before, during and after the treatment with oral isotretinoin.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The prospective study included a total of 127 patients suffering from moderate to severe form of acne. To assess the psychological status and quality of life of studied groups the following standard psychometric questionnaires were performed before, during and after the treatment with oral isotretinoin: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Assessments of the Psychological and Social Effects of Acne (APSEA), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Measure of Psychological Stress (MPS) and Dermatology Specific Quality of Life (DSQL).

RESULTS: Results of the present study indicate that there is no increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms in the patients treated with oral isotretinoin. The psychological status by gender has shown the existence of differences between the genders in all measures of psychological status. Statistically significantly better quality of life was observed after healing than before treatment.

CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed no higher risk of depression and anxiety within the patients with acne treated with oral isotretinoin. Improvement of quality of life after the treatment of acne with oral isotretinoin was confirmed.