INTRODUCTION
Approximately 9% of the world's population suffer from acne vulgaris. It is the most widespread skin disease with a prevalence ranked eighth highest of all diseases worldwide.1 Quality of life (QoL) for patients with acne vulgaris is significantly reduced and comparable with that of patients with bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus type 2, or chronic back pain.2 This suggests that substantial unmet treatment needs remain.
Along with the formation of comedones, inflammatory processes play an important pathogenic role in mild to moderate papulopustular acne. Combination therapy with different active substances such as topical antibiotics, keratolytics, and retinoids targets different pathogenic factors, resulting in a higher efficacy and improved compliance compared to monotherapy.3 Combination therapy, especially with retinoids, is recommended by several authors and guidelines for mild to moderate papulopustular acne.4-8
However, there is a lack of studies comparing the tolerability and efficacy of combination therapies.This pilot study aimed to compare the tolerability and efficacy of the fixed combination of clindamycin 1% and tretinoin 0.025% (Acnatac®- gel; MEDA Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Bad Homburg, Germany) referred to hereafter as CT, with the fixed combination of adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (Epiduo®- gel; Galderma Laboratorium GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany) referred to as BA, in the treatment of mild to moderate papulopustular acne, using subjective and objective parameters and skin physiological measurements.
Along with the formation of comedones, inflammatory processes play an important pathogenic role in mild to moderate papulopustular acne. Combination therapy with different active substances such as topical antibiotics, keratolytics, and retinoids targets different pathogenic factors, resulting in a higher efficacy and improved compliance compared to monotherapy.3 Combination therapy, especially with retinoids, is recommended by several authors and guidelines for mild to moderate papulopustular acne.4-8
However, there is a lack of studies comparing the tolerability and efficacy of combination therapies.This pilot study aimed to compare the tolerability and efficacy of the fixed combination of clindamycin 1% and tretinoin 0.025% (Acnatac®- gel; MEDA Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Bad Homburg, Germany) referred to hereafter as CT, with the fixed combination of adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (Epiduo®- gel; Galderma Laboratorium GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany) referred to as BA, in the treatment of mild to moderate papulopustular acne, using subjective and objective parameters and skin physiological measurements.
METHODS
Study Population
Twenty-two adolescents and adult subjects with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were enrolled in the study. Patient inclusion criteria were a diagnosed mild to moderate acne vulgaris at baseline (20–150 facial acne lesions, including 10–100 non-inflammatory and/or 10–50 inflammatory lesions and ≤2 cysts or lumps), skin type I to III according to Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Classification,9 age between 14 and 50 years, willingness to participate in the study including screening sessions and follow-up evaluations, and general good physical and mental health.
Twenty-two adolescents and adult subjects with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were enrolled in the study. Patient inclusion criteria were a diagnosed mild to moderate acne vulgaris at baseline (20–150 facial acne lesions, including 10–100 non-inflammatory and/or 10–50 inflammatory lesions and ≤2 cysts or lumps), skin type I to III according to Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Classification,9 age between 14 and 50 years, willingness to participate in the study including screening sessions and follow-up evaluations, and general good physical and mental health.
