ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2020
Analysis of musculoskeletal side effects of oral Isotretinoin treatment: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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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.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 32 citations in OpenAlex.
- Hydrogels for acne treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.Nanomedicine (London, England) · 2026Pooled it
- Adverse Events in Isotretinoin Therapy: A Single-Arm Meta-Analysis.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Pooled it
- Case Report: Sacroiliitis and Long-Term Effects on Bones and Joints Following Isotretinoin Use.International journal of rheumatic diseases · 2026Article
- Sex- and age-specific musculoskeletal adverse events of isotretinoin: disproportionality analysis of the FAERS database combined with a clinical case series.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Article
- Real-World Evidence of Neuropsychiatric Adverse Reactions to Isotretinoin: Insights from EudraVigilance (2005-2025).Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- The Impact of Isotretinoin on Lipid Profile: a Systematic Review.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2025Review
- Laboratory investigations of liver function and lipid profiles tests before and after oral isotretinoin treatment among Acne valgaris clients at Ibri Polyclinic: A retrospective study.Toxicology reports · 2024Article
- Isotretinoin musculoskeletahl side effects: a systematic review.Dermatology reports · 2024Review
- Review
- Use of Oral Supplements and Topical Adjuvants for Isotretinoin-Associated Side Effects: A Narrative Review.Skin appendage disorders · 2024Review
- Practices, Efficacy, and Reported Side Effects Associated with Isotretinoin Treatment in Palestine.Patient preference and adherence · 2024Article
- Rationale for Use of Micronized Isotretinoin for Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: Practical Considerations and Therapeutic Advantages.The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology · 2023Review
- Evaluation of musculoskeletal adverse effects in patients on systemic isotretinoin treatment: A cross-sectional study.Archives of rheumatology · 2022Article
- Article
- An exploratory identification of biological markers of chronic musculoskeletal pain in the low back, neck, and shoulders.PloS one · 2022Article
- Oral isotretinoin and sacroiliitis: causal link or coincidence? Discussion points emerging from a case-based review.Reumatologia · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/
objectivesAcne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the pilosebaceous unit. Isotretinoin is an effective treatment option for severe acne. The aim of this study was to evaluate musculoskeletal side effects of systemic isotretinoin treatment.
methodsNinety-four patients with acne vulgaris and 100 sex- and age-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Only the patients who had musculoskeletal symptoms were evaluated in this study. All participants were firstly assessed by a dermatologist. The patients were asked whether they had any musculoskeletal symptoms after isotretinoin treatment, if so, the feature and duration of the symptoms were recorded. The dosage of the drug, treatment duration, incidence of arthralgia, myalgia, low back pain, sacroiliitis and tendinopathy and laboratory test results were noted. The severity of pain was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). The severity of acne vulgaris was evaluated by Global Acne Grading Scale (GAGS). Sacroiliac radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and rheumatologic blood tests were requested from the patients meeting Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria.
resultsOf the 94 patients, 71 were female and 23 were male. 47.9% of the patients had arthralgia, 53.2% had myalgia, 70.2% (66) had low back pain, 11.7% had sacroiliitis and 4.3% had tendinopathy. 37.8% of 66 patients with low back pain had inflammatory pain and 62.2% had mechanical pain. Bone marrow edema consistent with sacroiliitis was detected by sacroiliac MRI in 11 patients with inflammatory back pain. The median total cumulative dose of isotretinoin was significantly higher in patients with low back pain than in patients without low back pain (p = 0.014). There was no significant correlation between cumulative dose of drug, treatment duration and VAS with ESR and CRP (p > 0.05). Also no correlation was found between GAGS scores and musculoskeletal symptoms (p > 0.05).
conclusionLow back pain is one of the very common complications of isotretinoin. It can be mostly mechanical or inflammatory. Isotretinoin-induced low back pain is dose-related, and inflammatory back pain without sacroiliitis is also frequent. The clinicians should be aware of the back pain may be a reflective of sacroiliitis during isotretinoin usage.
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