INTRODUCTION
Sex and age are known to have a potential impact on the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of topical retinoid therapies for acne. Males tend to exhibit less epidermal water loss, higher sebum production, and a lower skin pH than females.1 Persistent and recurrent adult acne are more common in females, potentially requiring long-term maintenance treatment.2,3 Adult females are also more likely to have dry, sensitive skin which increases the likelihood of the cutaneous irritation associated with topical treatments.2,4
Retinoids target multiple pathophysiological factors in acne, demonstrate unique pharmacologic effects that modulate acne pathogenesis, and are well-recognized to “have an essential role in treatment of acne.”2 Amongst retinoids, studies have shown that tazarotene 0.1% cream may be more effective than tretinoin 0.025% gel or adapalene 0.1% or 0.3% gel in treating acne.5-7 Efficacy and safety of topical retinoids are well established, supporting their class A recommendation for acne vulgaris treatment.8 Traditionally, the most common adverse effects associated with retinoid use, such as irritation and dryness, usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment, especially at higher concentrations, though skin type and vehicle formulation can significantly impact visible manifestations of skin irritation.4,9 To address tolerability issues, a tazarotene 0.045% lotion formulation was developed utilizing polymeric emulsion technology allowing for more uniform skin distribution and increased absorption of ingredients.10 This easily spreadable lotion formulation allows for a lower effective tazarotene concentration, which when combined with optimized delivery of active and hydrating ingredients, appears to improve tolerability.10,11
Previous phase 3 pooled data have shown that tazarotene 0.045% lotion is efficacious and well tolerated.12 Subanalyses by race, ethnicity, sex, and age have also shown consistent results.13-15 Presented here are discrete age-by-sex analyses in
Retinoids target multiple pathophysiological factors in acne, demonstrate unique pharmacologic effects that modulate acne pathogenesis, and are well-recognized to “have an essential role in treatment of acne.”2 Amongst retinoids, studies have shown that tazarotene 0.1% cream may be more effective than tretinoin 0.025% gel or adapalene 0.1% or 0.3% gel in treating acne.5-7 Efficacy and safety of topical retinoids are well established, supporting their class A recommendation for acne vulgaris treatment.8 Traditionally, the most common adverse effects associated with retinoid use, such as irritation and dryness, usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment, especially at higher concentrations, though skin type and vehicle formulation can significantly impact visible manifestations of skin irritation.4,9 To address tolerability issues, a tazarotene 0.045% lotion formulation was developed utilizing polymeric emulsion technology allowing for more uniform skin distribution and increased absorption of ingredients.10 This easily spreadable lotion formulation allows for a lower effective tazarotene concentration, which when combined with optimized delivery of active and hydrating ingredients, appears to improve tolerability.10,11
Previous phase 3 pooled data have shown that tazarotene 0.045% lotion is efficacious and well tolerated.12 Subanalyses by race, ethnicity, sex, and age have also shown consistent results.13-15 Presented here are discrete age-by-sex analyses in
