Evaluation of depressive symptoms in acne patients treated with isotretinoin

Background: There have been concerns about the association between isotretinoin therapy and depressive symptoms. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether there is an association between isotretinoin therapy and the onset of depression. Methods: A total of 50 patients with moderate to severe recalcitrant acne and 30 healthy volunteer people were enrolled in the study. Depressive symptoms and anxiety status were assessed at baseline and then 1 and 4 months after the initiation of isotretinoin treatment. Results: We detected improvement in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores in acne patients after isotretinoin therapy. Statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms began at the first month. Improvement in anxiety was detected later than the improvement in depressive symptoms and a statistically significant difference was detected between the first and the second follow-up. Conclusions: Our results provide no relationship between isotretinoin use and depression in acne patients.