Laboratory Abnormalities in Acne Patients Treated With Oral Isotretinoin: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study

Background Isotretinoin has been used to treat moderate to severe acne. It is well known that isotretinoin can cause an elevation in liver enzymes, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Laboratory monitoring is indicated while patients are on isotretinoin, but the frequency of laboratory monitoring is very variable among physicians who prescribe it. Study objectives This study aimed to determine the frequency of laboratory abnormalities of triglycerides, cholesterol, and liver aminotransferases in acne patients treated with oral isotretinoin in order to assess the need for frequent laboratory monitoring while on isotretinoin and to study the association between body weight and laboratory abnormalities. Methods A retrospective chart review has been conducted using data extracted from electronic medical records of the Department of Dermatology, Qassim University Medical City, Saudi Arabia. We included all acne patients who were treated with Isotretinoin for at least four months. Data were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS version 25 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results A total of 407 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in our study, 198 (48.6%) were female and 209 (51.4%) were males. Patients' age ranged from 10 to 51 years, with a mean age of 22.15 years. At baseline, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was elevated in 5.4% of patients and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was elevated in 12.7% of patients. At the last visit, AST was elevated in 3.9% of patients while ALT was elevated in 9% of patients. Triglycerides level was elevated in 12.7% of patients at the last visit compared to 6.5% of patients at baseline. Total cholesterol was elevated in 9% of patients at the last visit compared to 10.5% of patients at baseline. The increase in triglyceride levels and differences between triglycerides (TG) classifications between baseline and last visit was statistically significant (P<0.001). Higher body weight was associated with a higher incidence of elevation in ALT and triglycerides levels, and this association was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant relationship between total cumulative dose and laboratory abnormalities in ALT, AST, triglycerides, or total cholesterol. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that oral isotretinoin can cause an elevation in ALT, AST, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels but the incidence of these laboratory abnormalities is low and the elevation was not associated with significant morbidity, and therefore the practice of monthly laboratory monitoring for all patients while on isotretinoin needs to be revised as there is no strong evidence for such practice. We also found that patients with higher body weight are at higher risk of laboratory abnormalities and may require more frequent laboratory monitoring. Our findings support less frequent laboratory monitoring for acne patients on isotretinoin who had normal baseline labs. Frequent laboratory monitoring in these patients carries financial and emotional implications and lacks strong evidence to support this practice.