Treatment of Acne with Isotretinoin Should Be Avoided in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa "Conglobata Phenotype"

BACKGROUND

Acne conglobata (AC) and nodulocystic acne have long been confused clinically, despite the presentation and the response to treatment being different. AC and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) resemble each other; a subtype of HS called "conglobata phenotype" has recently been reported in a large Dutch cohort. Acne vulgaris and HS are often associated. Isotretinoin is typically ineffective in treating HS and may even aggravate it, but it is often indispensable in treating acne vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess whether isotretinoin may be used safely in adults with both HS and acne vulgaris and when it might be contraindicated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Belgian HS patients from the European Registry for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Registry (ERHS) reporting a history of severe acne of the face and/or the back, and who have ever used isotretinoin for their acne, were all selected. Patients whose acne worsened on isotretinoin were compared to patients whose acne did not worsen (improvement or no change).

RESULTS

Among the 82 selected patients, 10 (12.2%) report that their acne was aggravated while taking isotretinoin, while 72 (87.8%) report that their acne was not aggravated on isotretinoin. Of the 10 HS patients whose acne worsened with isotretinoin, 9 (90%) were men (p = 0.04) and 8 (80%) were HS "conglobata phenotype" (p < 0.001). In contrast, 47 (65.3%) of the 72 patients whose acne did not worsen on isotretinoin belonged to the HS "regular phenotype" (p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the item most strongly associated with poor response to isotretinoin was the HS "conglobata phenotype," followed by body mass index (BMI) (worse response to isotretinoin if BMI >25 kg/m2). Additionally, of 26 patients who received isotretinoin while their HS had already started, only 6 (23.1%) reported isotretinoin effectiveness on their HS.

CONCLUSION

Subject to confirmation by larger studies, our study suggests that isotretinoin should be avoided in the treatment of acne in HS patients with the HS "conglobata phenotype," as it may worsen the acne, likewise being male or having a BMI above 25 seems to increase this risk of a bad therapeutic outcome. Patients with an HS "regular phenotype" appear to be at a reduced risk of isotretinoin treatment worsening their acne.

Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for pediatric patients with SAPHO syndrome associated with acne conglobata

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome is a rare chronic inflammatory disease with osteoarticular and cutaneous involvements as its main manifestations. Acne conglobata as a severe acne form may affect adolescent patients. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are usually used as a second-line therapy for refractory SAPHO syndrome and has been reported to treat acne conglobata successfully. We herein report three cases of adolescent patients with SAPHO syndrome associated with acne conglobata who were successfully treated with TNFi therapy.

A case of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy(ALA-PDT)combined with surgery for the treatment of acne conglobata

We report the case of a 20-year-old man with acne conglobata (AC) who was treated with 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) sequentially to deroofing, and finally used fractional carbon dioxide laser for esthetic requirements, achieving satisfying results. AC is a severe form of acne vulgaris that can lead to significant scarring and has serious negative effects on a patient's psychological well-being and quality of life. Some cases are likely resistant to currently available treatments. This report describes a promising, and effective method for the treatment of AC.

Acne in the first three decades of life: An update of a disorder with profound implications for all decades of life

Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory, skin condition that involves the pilosebaceous follicles and is influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, androgen-stimulation of sebaceous glands with abnormal keratinization, colonization with Cutibacterium acnes (previously called Propionibacterium acnes), and pathological immune response to inflammation. Acne can occur at all ages and this discussion focuses on the first three decades of life. Conditions that are part of the differential diagnosis and/or are co-morbid with acne vulgaris are also considered. Acne in the first year of life includes neonatal acne (acne neonatorum) that presents in the first four weeks of life and infantile acne that usually presents between 3 and 6 months of the first year of life with a range of 3 to 16 months after birth. Acne rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory, skin condition that is distinct from acne vulgaris, typically presents in adults, and has four main types: erythemato-telangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous and ocular. Treatment options for acne vulgaris include topical retinoids, topical benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics (topical, oral), oral contraceptive pills, isotretinoin, and others. Management must consider the increasing impact of antibiotic resistance in the 21st century. Psychological impact of acne can be quite severe and treatment of acne includes awareness of the potential emotional toll this disease may bring to the person with acne as well as assiduous attention to known side effects of various anti-acne medications (topical and systemic). Efforts should be directed at preventing acne-caused scars and depigmentation on the skin as well as emotional scars within the person suffering from acne.

An Atypical Localized Form of Hidradenitis Suppurativa of the Jawline and Neck Mimicking Severe Cystic Acne on Presentation

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating suppurative disease primarily affecting the axillae, perineum, and inframammary regions, where apocrine sweat glands are present. However, HS can occur in atypical locations. We present an interesting case of a 40-year-old man who developed chronic painful subcutaneous nodules, deep sinus tracts, and abscesses involving the jawline and the anterior aspect of the neck as the only parts of the body affected and who responded satisfactorily to adalimumab and laser hair removal treatment. This case is relevant because it helps clinicians to remember that HS may be isolated to atypical locations, such as the anterior aspect of the neck and chin. It also supports another possible HS pathogenesis which consists of the occlusion of terminal hair follicles rather than being essentially a disorder of the apocrine glands.

Follicular occlusion tetrad

Follicular occlusion tetrad is a symptom complex consisting of four conditions having a similar pathophysiology. It includes Hidradenitis suppurativa, acne conglobata, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp and pilonidal sinus. The exact pathogenesis of this group of disease is unknown but evidence suggests that they share the same pathological process initiated by follicular occlusion in apocrine gland bearing areas. Though each of these conditions is commonly encountered singly, follicular occlusion tetrad as a symptom complex has been rarely reported in the literature.

SAPHO syndrome in an adolescent: a clinical case with unusual severe systemic impact

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome includes both dermatological and rheumatologic symptoms. Being a rare condition, the diagnosis is frequently late. The authors report a case of a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome with unusual severe systemic repercussions. The patient presented with acne conglobata, inability to walk due to pain and weakness and weight loss. Bone scintigraphy was suggestive of sacroiliitis, and lumbar spine x-ray showed signs of hyperostosis. His clinical state improved after treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate, clindamycin, and isotretinoin. A review of the clinical aspects of this syndrome is presented, emphasizing how this underdiagnosed syndrome can lead to severe weight loss and significant functional and psychological impairment at an early age.

Folliculitis et perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens controlled with a combination therapy: systemic antibiosis (metronidazole plus clindamycin), dermatosurgical approach, and high-dose isotretinoin

Folliculitis et perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens is a rare disease of unknown etiology. It is a suppurative process that involves the scalp, eventually resulting in extensive scarring and irreversible alopecia. The condition is also known as ‘acne necrotica miliaris’ or ‘Proprionibacterium’ folliculitis. Most often the disease affects men of African-American or African-Caribbean descent between 20 and 40 years of age. The clinical picture is determined by fluctuating painful fistule-forming conglomerates of abscesses in the region of the occipital scalp. The cause of scalp folliculitis is not well understood. It is generally considered to be an inflammatory reaction to components of the hair follicle, particularly the micro-organisms. These include: bacteria (especially Propionibacterium acnes, but in severe cases, also Staphylococcus aureus), Yeasts (Malassezia species) and mites (Demodex folliculorum). The initial histopathologic finding is an exclusively neutrophilic infiltration followed by a granulomatous infiltrate. The treatment of the disease is usually difficult and often disappointing. Successful treatment with isotretinoin 1 mg/kg body mass could be achieved only after regular systematic administration in the course of 3–4 months. Here we describe a patient with eruptive purulent form of the disease, which has been controlled with combination therapy: systemic antibiosis with metronidazole and clindamycin, dermatosurgical removal of single nodular formations, and isotretinoin 1 mg/kg body mass for 3–5 months.