Evidence base: Acne vulgaris

21 January 2011

Keep up to date with the latest evidence for the management of acne vulgaris

Acne most commonly affects the back, face and chest (Photograph: Dr Anneke Kai and Dr Sandeep Cliff)

Research and reviews

Purdy S, de Berker D. Acne vulgaris. Clin Evid (Online) 2008; 1714.

A BMJ Clinical Evidence review article on acne vulgaris. The authors conducted a systematic review aiming to answer the question: 'What are the effects of topical and oral treatments in people with acne vulgaris?'

Davis E, Callender VD. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2010; 3(4): 24-38.

A Review of acne in ethnic skin: Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management strategies.

Akman A, Durusoy C, Senturk M et al. Treatment of acne with intermittent and conventional isotretinoin: a randomized, controlled multicenter study. Arch Dermatol Res 2007; 299 (10): 467-73.
Jih MH, Kimyai-Asadi A. Laser treatment of acne vulgaris. Semin Plast Surg 2007; 21(3): 167-74.

Guidelines

There are currently no NICE guidelines on the treatment of acne but advice for GPs on when to refer patients with acne to secondary care can be found in the Referral Advice document published by NICE in 2001 (pages six and seven). This is available at www.nice.org.uk/media/94D/BE/Referraladvice.pdf

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has recently published guidelines on the safe use of isotretinoin: Advice on the safe introduction and continued use of isotretinoin in acne in the UK 2010.⁸ This can be accessed via the BAD website: www.bad.org.uk//site/622/default.aspx

Key texts

Lebwohl M, Heymann W, Berth-Jones J et al. Treatment of skin disease. 3rd edition. Elsevier. 2010 (pages six to 11).

This book gives a summary of treatment strategies for acne and their underlying levels of evidence.

Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP. Dermatology, 2nd edition. Mosby. 2008. A more detailed but manageable text on acne can be found in volume one (pages 495-508) of the two-volume textbook. This section gives an excellent and thorough review of pathogenesis, clinical features and management.

Curriculum
The RCGP covers this topic in statement 15.10, Skin Problems gponline.com/curriculum

Online

Dermnet NZ. www.dermnetnz.org/acne/acne-vulgaris.html

An easily accessible resource with details on diagnosis and management of acne, with clinical pictures.

emedicine article on acne. www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/1069804-overview

This is regularly updated (last updated June 2010).

Contributed by Dr Anneke Kai, specialist registrar in dermatology, and Dr Sandeep Cliff, consultant dermatologist, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton, Surrey