Efficacy of 0.1% adapalene gel in reducing sebum secretion in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris

 

 

Abstract              Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic skin disease characterized by comedones, papules, and pustules. Adapalene treatment is found to beto be safe and effective in treating acne vulgaris, reducing inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of 0.1% Adapalene gel in reducing sebum secretion in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Material and Methods: A total of 50 patients were given topical 0.1% Adapalene gel on an intent-to-elicit its effect on SER in relation to reduction in lesions in mild to moderate acne. Forty of these completed treatment as per protocol (6-weeks period). Facial sebum secretions were measured using a Sebumeter.® Five different facial sites were selected-forehead (mid glabella), nose (the tip), right and left cheek (the most prominent area of both zygomata and chin (the mental prominence). Results: Mild acne (Grade I) was seen in 22.5%, moderate acne (Grade II) in 42.5% and moderately severe acne (Grade III) in 27.5%.Of the 40 patients who completed 6 weeks of therapy, 90% showed a global improvement in their acne from baseline. About 19 patients (47.5%) showed excellent and another 15 (37.5%) showed a good improvement. Lesions showed poor response in only 4 patients (3%). Average sebum excretion rate of T- Zone at baseline was 91.34±43.26, whereas after 6-weeks treatment it was 82.68±40.50. Conclusion: Treatment with 0.1% Adapalenegel did not show significant decrease in MFSE, even though it significantly reduced acne lesions. This suggestive of other important factors playing vital role in comedogenesis.

Key Word: Acne vulgaris, 0.1% Adapalene gel, mean facial sebum excretion, improvement