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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Acne | Research

Practice and attitude of general practitioners towards initiating isotretinoin for acne vulgaris in Fars province, Iran: cross-sectional study

Authors: Parisa Hosseinpour, Ghazal Gholamabbas, Fatemehsadat Pezeshkian, Amirhossein Erfani, Reza Shahriarirad, Ahmad Reza Parhizkar

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Since general practitioners manage acne-related referrals, there needs to be more information in Iran about how drugs such as Isotretinoin are prescribed and the treatment plan. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate general practitioners s’ practices and attitudes in prescribing Isotretinoin for acne vulgaris in primary care.

Methods

This web-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using two questionnaires designed with the target population of GPs working in Fars province in 2021 regarding the prescription of Isotretinoin. Moreover, demographic information, questions about interest in dermatology, and participation in dermatology workshops were gathered.

Results

A total of 308 complete questionnaires were obtained. According to our results, 85 (27.6%) GPs prescribed Isotretinoin in primary care. Based on our results, higher age (OR: 1.042; CI95%: 1.013–1.072; P-value:0.004) and attending dermatological courses (OR: 3.280; CI95%: 1.592–6.755; P-value:0.001) were significantly correlated with more frequent Isotretinoin administration. Among GPs who do not prescribe Isotretinoin, the most common causes are concerns about liver dysfunction (54.7%), teratogenic concerns (37.2%), and lack of familiarity with the drug (31.4%) respectively.

Conclusion

The results of this study depicted the reluctance of most physicians to prescribe Isotretinoin and factors such as taking part in supplementary courses under the supervision of dermatologists and following national guidelines that could encourage them to prescribe Isotretinoin.
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Metadata
Title
Practice and attitude of general practitioners towards initiating isotretinoin for acne vulgaris in Fars province, Iran: cross-sectional study
Authors
Parisa Hosseinpour
Ghazal Gholamabbas
Fatemehsadat Pezeshkian
Amirhossein Erfani
Reza Shahriarirad
Ahmad Reza Parhizkar
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02260-w

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