A dietary supplement to reduce side effects of oral isotretinoin therapy in acne patients.

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Isotretinoin and Vitamin E in the context of acne, published as a randomized controlled trial.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 24 patients were involved.

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were teenagers and adults, both men and women.

For all patients the degree of acne severity, through GAGS (Global Acne Grading System), the sebum production by Sebutape, the hydration by Corneometer and the erythema by Mexameter, were measured.

The researchers have also evaluated the adherence to treatment, asking to patients how many days a week they follow the therapy.

How the Study Was Run

The design is described as randomized.

The patients were allocated by chance, so the Isotretinoin group and the comparison group should start out alike.

What Was Measured

PubMed files the paper under topics including Acne Vulgaris, Ascorbic Acid, Dermatologic Agents, Dietary Supplements, Erythema, Isotretinoin and Italy.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized study of Isotretinoin and Vitamin E in 24 patients in people with acne.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The abstract goes on to report its results in about 2 sentences; this page does not restate them, so read the paper for the findings and their limits.

The publication is from 2014 (Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia), a journal based in Italy.

More context: Acne research.