The treatment of moderate to severe with Isotretinoin does not increase depressive symptoms

Researchers from the Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center in Saint Louis and the ‘University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics in Columbia, the United States, have examined whether patients with acne in moderate to serious treated Isotretionina (Roaccutane) had shown a marked increase depressive symptoms within 3-4 months.
The results were compared to cases treated with conservative therapy.
At the study cohort was attended by 132 persons aged between 12 and 19 years with moderate to severe acne.
The depressive symptoms were assessed according to the CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale).
Among those enrolled, 101 patients completed the study.
At follow-up, the scores of CES-D indicative of clinically significant depression were not more prevalent in the group treated with Isotretionina that in the conservative therapy group. Similarly, the incidence (new onset) of clinically significant depressive symptoms did not differ between treatment groups. The use of Isotretinoin in the treatment of moderate to severe in adolescents does not increase depressive symptoms.
In contrast, the treatment of both conservative therapy with Isotretinoin was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms.