Evaluation of the effectiveness of the combination of doxycycline and trifarotene for managing acne vulgaris of moderate to severe severity: a study in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV), affecting diverse skin types, prompts a uniform therapeutic approach, with options ranging from topical to systemic treatments. Trifarotene, a fourth-generation topical retinoid, offers precise skin-specific effects, especially in facial and truncal acne treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of doxycycline and trifarotene for managing AV of moderate to severe severity. Methods: At Mymensingh medical college hospital, the study enrolled 100 individuals to evaluate a new treatment for moderate AV from Jan-Jun 2023. Treatment comprised oral doxycycline (100 mg) and topical trifarotene (0.005% w/w) over 2 months, following a stratified randomization process. Evaluation criteria included clinical scores, lesion counts, and safety parameters, analyzed using SPSS v20. Results: Study on doxycycline and trifarotene for moderate to severe acne shows promising results. Participants, mainly aged 15-25 exhibit diverse demographics and balanced gender ratio. Significant improvement on investigator's global assessment (IGA) scale is noted, with 35% experiencing notable progress at 9-10 weeks, alongside reduction in Propionibacterium acnes growth and positive patient feedback with 36% reporting 'good' response. Conclusions: The study on doxycycline and trifarotene for moderate acne exhibits robust methodology with adherence to established practices and stratified randomization. Results, assessed via IGA, demonstrate promising efficacy and safety, providing insights for diverse skin types' acne management enhancement.