Skip to main content
Top
Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 3/2018

01-06-2018 | short communication

The Use of Hormonal Antiandrogen Therapy in Female Patients with Acne: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

Authors: Joyce H. Park, Amanda Bienenfeld, Seth J. Orlow, Arielle R. Nagler

Published in: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology | Issue 3/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Little is known about how dermatologists prescribe hormonal antiandrogen acne treatment (HAAT).

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate dermatologists’ HAAT-prescribing habits and HAAT’s impact on systemic antibiotic use in women with acne.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study at an academic medical center of female patients receiving HAAT (combined oral contraceptive [COC], spironolactone) for acne from January 2005 to October 2015. Data from a control group of female acne patients who never received HAAT were also collected.

Results

A total of 672 female patients received HAAT. Out of all systemic medications for acne, antibiotics were used as first-line treatment in 39% of patients, COCs in 12%, and spironolactone in 21%. Mean antibiotic durations in patients who initiated HAAT for the first time at the study site (250.4 days) were significantly longer than in patients who received HAAT prior to presentation and continued HAAT at the study site (192.0 days) (p = 0.021). A statistically significant inverse association was found between HAAT use and mean antibiotic duration (p = 0.016).

Conclusions

HAAT is not typically used as a first-line systemic therapy in women with acne. HAAT usage is associated with shorter cumulative antibiotic durations and early HAAT initiation can decrease systemic antibiotic use in acne treatment.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Collier CN, Harper JC, Cafardi JA, Cantrell WC, Wang W, Foster KW, et al. The prevalence of acne in adults 20 years and older. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(1):56–9.CrossRefPubMed Collier CN, Harper JC, Cafardi JA, Cantrell WC, Wang W, Foster KW, et al. The prevalence of acne in adults 20 years and older. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(1):56–9.CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Poli F, Dreno B, Verschoore M. An epidemiological study of acne in female adults: results of a survey conducted in France. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2001;15(6):541–5.CrossRefPubMed Poli F, Dreno B, Verschoore M. An epidemiological study of acne in female adults: results of a survey conducted in France. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2001;15(6):541–5.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Deplewski D, Rosenfield RL. Role of hormones in pilosebaceous unit development. Endocr Rev. 2000;21(4):363–92.CrossRefPubMed Deplewski D, Rosenfield RL. Role of hormones in pilosebaceous unit development. Endocr Rev. 2000;21(4):363–92.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Das S, Reynolds RV. Recent advances in acne pathogenesis: implications for therapy. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014;15(6):479–88.CrossRefPubMed Das S, Reynolds RV. Recent advances in acne pathogenesis: implications for therapy. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014;15(6):479–88.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Dreno B, Layton A, Zouboulis CC, Lopez-Estebaranz JL, Zalewska-Janowska A, Bagatin E, et al. Adult female acne: a new paradigm. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2013;27(9):1063–70.CrossRefPubMed Dreno B, Layton A, Zouboulis CC, Lopez-Estebaranz JL, Zalewska-Janowska A, Bagatin E, et al. Adult female acne: a new paradigm. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2013;27(9):1063–70.CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Thiboutot D. Hormones and acne: pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and therapies. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2001;20(3):144–53.CrossRefPubMed Thiboutot D. Hormones and acne: pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and therapies. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2001;20(3):144–53.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Thiboutot DM. Endocrinological evaluation and hormonal therapy for women with difficult acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2001;15(Suppl 3):57–61.CrossRefPubMed Thiboutot DM. Endocrinological evaluation and hormonal therapy for women with difficult acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2001;15(Suppl 3):57–61.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, Alikhan A, Baldwin HE, Berson DS, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945e33–973e33.CrossRef Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, Alikhan A, Baldwin HE, Berson DS, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945e33–973e33.CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Arowojolu AO, Gallo MF, Lopez LM, Grimes DA. Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(6):CD004425. Arowojolu AO, Gallo MF, Lopez LM, Grimes DA. Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(6):CD004425.
13.
go back to reference Arrington EA, Patel NS, Gerancher K, Feldman SR. Combined oral contraceptives for the treatment of acne: a practical guide. Cutis. 2012;90(2):83–90.PubMed Arrington EA, Patel NS, Gerancher K, Feldman SR. Combined oral contraceptives for the treatment of acne: a practical guide. Cutis. 2012;90(2):83–90.PubMed
14.
go back to reference Bettoli V, Zauli S, Virgili A. Is hormonal treatment still an option in acne today? Br J Dermatol. 2015;172(Suppl 1):37–46.CrossRefPubMed Bettoli V, Zauli S, Virgili A. Is hormonal treatment still an option in acne today? Br J Dermatol. 2015;172(Suppl 1):37–46.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Boisselle A, Dionne FT, Tremblay RR. Interaction of spironolactone with rat skin androgen receptor. Can J Biochem. 1979;57(7):1042–6.CrossRefPubMed Boisselle A, Dionne FT, Tremblay RR. Interaction of spironolactone with rat skin androgen receptor. Can J Biochem. 1979;57(7):1042–6.CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Harper JC. Should dermatologists prescribe hormonal contraceptives for acne? Dermatol Ther. 2009;22(5):452–7.CrossRefPubMed Harper JC. Should dermatologists prescribe hormonal contraceptives for acne? Dermatol Ther. 2009;22(5):452–7.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Tan JK, Ediriweera C. Efficacy and safety of combined ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone oral contraceptives in the treatment of acne. Int J Womens Health. 2010;1:213–21.PubMedPubMedCentral Tan JK, Ediriweera C. Efficacy and safety of combined ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone oral contraceptives in the treatment of acne. Int J Womens Health. 2010;1:213–21.PubMedPubMedCentral
18.
go back to reference Koo EB, Petersen TD, Kimball AB. Meta-analysis comparing efficacy of antibiotics versus oral contraceptives in acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):450–9.CrossRefPubMed Koo EB, Petersen TD, Kimball AB. Meta-analysis comparing efficacy of antibiotics versus oral contraceptives in acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):450–9.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Goodfellow A, Alaghband-Zadeh J, Carter G, Cream JJ, Holland S, Scully J, et al. Oral spironolactone improves acne vulgaris and reduces sebum excretion. Br J Dermatol. 1984;111(2):209–14.CrossRefPubMed Goodfellow A, Alaghband-Zadeh J, Carter G, Cream JJ, Holland S, Scully J, et al. Oral spironolactone improves acne vulgaris and reduces sebum excretion. Br J Dermatol. 1984;111(2):209–14.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Muhlemann MF, Carter GD, Cream JJ, Wise P. Oral spironolactone: an effective treatment for acne vulgaris in women. Br J Dermatol. 1986;115(2):227–32.CrossRefPubMed Muhlemann MF, Carter GD, Cream JJ, Wise P. Oral spironolactone: an effective treatment for acne vulgaris in women. Br J Dermatol. 1986;115(2):227–32.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Brown J, Farquhar C, Lee O, Toomath R, Jepson RG. Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;15(2):CD000194. Brown J, Farquhar C, Lee O, Toomath R, Jepson RG. Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;15(2):CD000194.
22.
go back to reference Layton AM, Eady EA, Whitehouse H, Del Rosso JQ, Fedorowicz Z, van Zuuren EJ. Oral spironolactone for acne vulgaris in adult females: a hybrid systematic review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;2:169–91.CrossRef Layton AM, Eady EA, Whitehouse H, Del Rosso JQ, Fedorowicz Z, van Zuuren EJ. Oral spironolactone for acne vulgaris in adult females: a hybrid systematic review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;2:169–91.CrossRef
23.
go back to reference Gollnick HP, Bettoli V, Lambert J, Araviiskaia E, Binic I, Dessinioti C, et al. A consensus-based practical and daily guide for the treatment of acne patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2016;30(9):1480–90.CrossRefPubMed Gollnick HP, Bettoli V, Lambert J, Araviiskaia E, Binic I, Dessinioti C, et al. A consensus-based practical and daily guide for the treatment of acne patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2016;30(9):1480–90.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Nast A, Dreno B, Bettoli V, Bukvic Mokos Z, Degitz K, Dressler C, et al. European evidence-based (S3) guideline for the treatment of acne-update 2016-short version. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2016;30(8):1261–8.CrossRefPubMed Nast A, Dreno B, Bettoli V, Bukvic Mokos Z, Degitz K, Dressler C, et al. European evidence-based (S3) guideline for the treatment of acne-update 2016-short version. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2016;30(8):1261–8.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Barbieri JS, James WD, Margolis DJ. Trends in prescribing behavior of systemic agents used in the treatment of acne among dermatologists and nondermatologists: a retrospective analysis, 2004–2013. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(3):456e4–463e4.CrossRef Barbieri JS, James WD, Margolis DJ. Trends in prescribing behavior of systemic agents used in the treatment of acne among dermatologists and nondermatologists: a retrospective analysis, 2004–2013. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(3):456e4–463e4.CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Thiboutot DM, Dreno B, Abanmi A, Alexis AF, Araviiskaia E, Barona Cabal MI, et al. Practical management of acne for clinicians: an international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;78(2S1):S1–23.e1.PubMed Thiboutot DM, Dreno B, Abanmi A, Alexis AF, Araviiskaia E, Barona Cabal MI, et al. Practical management of acne for clinicians: an international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;78(2S1):S1–23.e1.PubMed
27.
go back to reference Neuhaus CP, Nagler AR, Orlow SJ. Teens, acne, and oral contraceptive pills: the need for greater clarity on when teens can consent. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(4):249–50.CrossRefPubMed Neuhaus CP, Nagler AR, Orlow SJ. Teens, acne, and oral contraceptive pills: the need for greater clarity on when teens can consent. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(4):249–50.CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference George R, Clarke S, Thiboutot D. Hormonal therapy for acne. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2008;27(3):188–96.CrossRefPubMed George R, Clarke S, Thiboutot D. Hormonal therapy for acne. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2008;27(3):188–96.CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Gollnick H, Cunliffe W, Berson D, Dreno B, Finlay A, Leyden JJ, et al. Management of acne: a report from a global alliance to improve outcomes in acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49(1 Suppl):S1–37.CrossRefPubMed Gollnick H, Cunliffe W, Berson D, Dreno B, Finlay A, Leyden JJ, et al. Management of acne: a report from a global alliance to improve outcomes in acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49(1 Suppl):S1–37.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Nast A, Dreno B, Bettoli V, Degitz K, Erdmann R, Finlay AY, et al. European evidence-based (S3) guidelines for the treatment of acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2012;26(Suppl 1):1–29.CrossRefPubMed Nast A, Dreno B, Bettoli V, Degitz K, Erdmann R, Finlay AY, et al. European evidence-based (S3) guidelines for the treatment of acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol JEADV. 2012;26(Suppl 1):1–29.CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Dreno B, Bettoli V, Ochsendorf F, Layton A, Mobacken H, Degreef H, et al. European recommendations on the use of oral antibiotics for acne. Eur J Dermatol. 2004;14(6):391–9.PubMed Dreno B, Bettoli V, Ochsendorf F, Layton A, Mobacken H, Degreef H, et al. European recommendations on the use of oral antibiotics for acne. Eur J Dermatol. 2004;14(6):391–9.PubMed
32.
go back to reference Dreno B, Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Bettoli V, Kang S, Leyden JJ, et al. Antibiotic stewardship in dermatology: limiting antibiotic use in acne. Eur J Dermatol. 2014;24(3):330–4.PubMed Dreno B, Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Bettoli V, Kang S, Leyden JJ, et al. Antibiotic stewardship in dermatology: limiting antibiotic use in acne. Eur J Dermatol. 2014;24(3):330–4.PubMed
33.
go back to reference Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Bettoli V, Dreno B, Kang S, Leyden JJ, et al. New insights into the management of acne: an update from the global alliance to improve outcomes in acne group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60(5 Suppl):S1–50.CrossRefPubMed Thiboutot D, Gollnick H, Bettoli V, Dreno B, Kang S, Leyden JJ, et al. New insights into the management of acne: an update from the global alliance to improve outcomes in acne group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60(5 Suppl):S1–50.CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference Lee YH, Liu G, Thiboutot DM, Leslie DL, Kirby JS. A retrospective analysis of the duration of oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of acne among adolescents: investigating practice gaps and potential cost-savings. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(1):70–6.CrossRefPubMed Lee YH, Liu G, Thiboutot DM, Leslie DL, Kirby JS. A retrospective analysis of the duration of oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of acne among adolescents: investigating practice gaps and potential cost-savings. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(1):70–6.CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Nagler AR, Milam EC, Orlow SJ. The use of oral antibiotics before isotretinoin therapy in patients with acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(2):273–9.CrossRefPubMed Nagler AR, Milam EC, Orlow SJ. The use of oral antibiotics before isotretinoin therapy in patients with acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(2):273–9.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
The Use of Hormonal Antiandrogen Therapy in Female Patients with Acne: A 10-Year Retrospective Study
Authors
Joyce H. Park
Amanda Bienenfeld
Seth J. Orlow
Arielle R. Nagler
Publication date
01-06-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1175-0561
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1888
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-018-0349-6

Other articles of this Issue 3/2018

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 3/2018 Go to the issue