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Jakobi_2025_MDPI_jcm_Isotretinoin concerns
Journal article

Isotretinoin concerns in Switzerland : a student-based transversal study

  • Jakobi, Anna-Lena U. ORCID Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland
  • Bircher, Andreas J. ORCID Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland
  • Pagnamenta, Alberto Clinical Trial Unit, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland - Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland - Division of Pneumology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
  • Terrani, Isabella Department of Dermatology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland
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  • 2025
Published in:
  • JCM. - 2025, vol. 14, no. 6, p. 1801
Isotretinoin
Acne
Non-adherence
Phobia
English Background/Objectives: Concerns about isotretinoin may affect both initiation and adherence in acne patients. We conducted a student-based transversal study including participants with knowledge on isotretinoin to assess related concerns and factors as well as the impact of an isotretinoin fact sheet in a before–after design. To our knowledge, no such surveys have been published to evaluate such concerns. Method: An online questionnaire about isotretinoin treatment was distributed by social media. The impact of written information about isotretinoin was assessed. Results: A total of 528 participants had fulfilled inclusion criteria. Most participants (53.8%) reported having concerns about isotretinoin treatment, mainly about xerosis cutis, but also about depression. A total of 49.1% of participants with a history of isotretinoin treatment reported that these concerns affected their adherence to treatment. Participants mostly relied on information from relatives or acquaintances and treating physicians, while reading a text about isotretinoin did not affect their concerns (p = 0.22). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that female participants, pharmacy students, and subjects with a history of acne had higher isotretinoin concerns. Conclusions: Students in Switzerland were concerned about an isotretinoin treatment. Written information did not change their existing concerns. This study highlights the importance for more education regarding potential side effects of isotretinoin.
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Language
  • English
Classification
Medicine
License
CC BY
Open access status
gold
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Persistent URL
https://n2t.net/ark:/12658/srd1332014
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