Isotretinoin and Oral Contraceptive Use in Female Acne Patients Varies by Physician Specialty: Analysis of Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.
Summary of "Isotretinoin and Oral Contraceptive Use in Female Acne Patients Varies by Physician Specialty: Analysis of Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey."
Abstract Objective: To determine whether OCPs are underutilized in the treatment of acne in women of reproductive age, how use of OCPs compared to use of isotretinoin, and whether adequate use and documentation of OCPs is occurring with isotretinoin. Methods: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) was analysed over the years 1993-2008 for isotretinoin and oral contraceptive use in females aged 12-55 with acne. Results: Isotretinoin was prescribed more often than OCPs at both first visits (4.7% vs. 3.3%) and overall visits (13% vs. 2.6%) for acne. Documentation of OCP or other contraceptive use occurred only 4.1% of the time overall in patients treated with isotretinoin. Specialties varied in both OCP use for acne and contraceptive use with isotretinoin, with ob/gyn specialists most likely to prescribe OCPs and isotretinoin and to report contraceptive use in patients using isotretinoin, and dermatologists least likely to prescribe OCPs. Conclusion: The findings of the current study indicate that OCPs may be underutilized in women with acne. Underreporting of contraceptive use with isotretinoin and variations between specialties in OCP and isotretinoin use indicate a potential for education about the viability of OCPs in acne treatment and the importance of reporting contraceptive use with isotretinoin.
Affiliation
Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research , Wake Forest School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina USA.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: The Journal of dermatological treatment
ISSN: 1471-1753
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22380867
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09546634.2012.671908
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Contraceptive Agents, Female
Chemical substances or agents with contraceptive activity in females. Use for female contraceptive agents in general or for which there is no specific heading.
Isotretinoin
A topical dermatologic agent that is used in the treatment of ACNE VULGARIS and several other skin diseases. The drug has teratogenic and other adverse effects.
Contraceptive Devices, Female
Contraceptive devices used by females.
Algestone Acetophenide
A progesterone that has been used in ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION and has been evaluated as an injectable contraceptive in combination with estradiol enanthate. It is also used therapeutically as a topical anti-inflammatory and is applied topically in the treatment of ACNE.
Ethics, Medical
The principles of professional conduct concerning the rights and duties of the physician, relations with patients and fellow practitioners, as well as actions of the physician in patient care and interpersonal relations with patient families.
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