SynthesisBMJ open2019
Use of isotretinoin and risk of depression in patients with acne: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 32 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
32 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 98 citations in OpenAlex.
- Interventions for anxiety and depression in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Scientific reports · 2024Pooled it
- Genetic exploration of the relationship between liability to psychiatric disorders and acne vulgaris.European journal of human genetics : EJHG · 2026Article
- Acne management in Norway: GP and dermatologist prescriptions (2012-2019): a nationwide overview.BJGP open · 2025Article
- Competencies and clinical guidelines for managing acne with isotretinoin in general practice: a scoping review.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
- Isotretinoin-Loaded Topical Lipid Liquid Crystal for the Treatment of Acne: In-Vitro and In-Vivo Evaluations.AAPS PharmSciTech · 2025Article
- Development and Validation of the Isotretinoin Hesitancy Scale for Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Study.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2024Article
- The Role of Serum Lipids in Predicting Suicidal Ideation in Isotretinoin Therapy for Acne.Psychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology · 2024Article
- Review
- Genetic influences on circulating retinol and its relationship to human health.Nature communications · 2024Article
- Review
- Acne and risk of mental disorders: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study based on large genome-wide association data.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
- Physiological and Psychological Effects of Isotretinoin in the Treatment of Patients with Acne: A Narrative Review.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2023Review
- Isotretinoin and adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes: retrospective cohort study using routine data.The British journal of dermatology · 2022Article
- Isotretinoin and neuropsychiatric side effects: Continued vigilance is needed.Journal of affective disorders reports · 2021Article
- Convergence of distinct signaling pathways on synaptic scaling to trigger rapid antidepressant action.Cell reports · 2021Article
- Alitretinoin in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.Cancer medicine · 2021Article
- Review
- Isotretinoin Use and Risk of Depression in Acne Vulgaris Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Cureus · 2021Article
- Article
- Acne and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender Teenager.Dermatologic clinics · 2020Review
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issuedCorrection:2019
Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association between the use of isotretinoin and the risk of depression in patients with acne.
designThis was a meta-analysis in which the standardised mean difference (SMD) and the relative risk (RR) were used for data synthesis employing the random-effects model.
settingStudies were identified via electronic searches of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception up to 28 December 2017.
participantsPatients with acne.
interventionsStudies comparing isotretinoin with other interventions in patients with acne were included.
resultsTwenty studies were selected. The analysis of 17 studies showed a significant association of the use of isotretinoin with improved symptoms compared with the baseline before treatment (SMD = -0.33, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.15, p<0.05;
conclusionsThis study suggested an association of the use of isotretinoin in patients with acne with significantly improved depression symptoms. Future randomised controlled trials are needed to verify the present findings.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.