INTRODUCTION
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease that commonly affects the face, chest, and back. It is the most common inflammatory skin disease treated in ambulatory dermatology practice. Oral treatment for acne includes oral antibiotics, with second-generation broad-spectrum tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline) frequently prescribed by dermatologists for moderate to severe acne.1-4 Given that acne may result in permanent scarring and can lead to negative psychosocial impacts, including low self-esteem and emotional distress, suitable treatment options very important in clinical practice.1,5-8
Truncal acne, which affects the chest, back, and/or shoulders, has been shown to affect at least 50% of patients with acne, with 70% of patients desiring treatment even if they did not voluntarily report their truncal acne.1,2,9 Despite its prevalence, truncal acne does not have specific treatment guidelines and is often managed based on data used to support the treatment of facial acne. Given that outcomes from clinical studies on facial acne may not accurately reflect efficacy in truncal acne, studies in truncal acne are vital to providing suitable recommendations for management.
Current approaches for mild to moderate truncal acne include topical therapies such as topical retinoids alone or with benzoyl peroxide (BP) and/or topical antibiotics, azelaic acid, and dapsone.9 Oral antibiotics have been recommended for use in combination with topical therapies or combined oral
Truncal acne, which affects the chest, back, and/or shoulders, has been shown to affect at least 50% of patients with acne, with 70% of patients desiring treatment even if they did not voluntarily report their truncal acne.1,2,9 Despite its prevalence, truncal acne does not have specific treatment guidelines and is often managed based on data used to support the treatment of facial acne. Given that outcomes from clinical studies on facial acne may not accurately reflect efficacy in truncal acne, studies in truncal acne are vital to providing suitable recommendations for management.
Current approaches for mild to moderate truncal acne include topical therapies such as topical retinoids alone or with benzoyl peroxide (BP) and/or topical antibiotics, azelaic acid, and dapsone.9 Oral antibiotics have been recommended for use in combination with topical therapies or combined oral