Date of Award

2020

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is spironolactone an effective method for reducing lesion count in individuals with acne vulgaris?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three English language studies published after 2009 in peer-reviewed journals, including two randomized, controlled trials and one retrospective cohort study.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized, controlled trials and one retrospective cohort study that evaluated spironolactone as a treatment for acne vulgaris were found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Reductions in total lesion counts (TLC).

RESULTS: All three studies supported the efficacy of spironolactone in reducing lesion counts in individuals with acne vulgaris. Kelidari et al. (Colloid Surface B. 2016;146:47-53. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.05.042) demonstrated a significant reduction in total lesion counts in both groups treated with spironolactone between baseline and week 8, with a p-value < 0.001. Afzali et al. (J Dermatol Treat. 2012;23(1):21-25. doi:10.3109/09546634.2010.488260) showed a significant difference between the case and control groups with p-value = 0.007, reflecting the efficacy of spironolactone in reducing total lesion count. The retrospective cohort study by Isvy- Joubert et al. (Eur J Dermatol. 2017;27(4):393-398. doi:10.1684/ejd.2017.3062) exhibited that 71% of patients treated with spironolactone for acne vulgaris experienced reduction in lesion counts.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the randomized, controlled trials and retrospective cohort study indicate that spironolactone is effective in reducing lesion counts in individuals with acne.

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