SynthesisJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2025
Low-dose isotretinoin for the management of rosacea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Molecular Mechanisms in the Etiopathology of Rosacea-Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Pooled it
- Low-dose isotretinoin for the management of rosacea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2025Pooled it
- Efficacy of ruxolitinib cream in a patient with lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei.JAAD case reports · 2026Article
- Sebum-Selective 1,726-nm Laser Therapy for Papulopustular Rosacea Associated withClinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
- Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Pulsed Dye Laser, Intense Pulsed Light and Radiofrequency Therapy in the Treatment of Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
- The lipid-inflammation axis in rosacea: mechanistic insights and therapeutic implications.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Ameliorative effects and mechanisms of paeonol against rosacea through network pharmacology and experimental validation.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Article
- Off-Label Treatment in Inflammatory Skin Diseases-European Point of View.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Probiotics and Diet in Rosacea: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives.Biomolecules · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundRosacea is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory dermatosis predominantly affecting the central face and can result in significant psychosocial impacts. Isotretinoin has been studied for rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory and sebum reduction properties, but its use remains limited likely due to its off-label use and potential adverse events.
objectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of low-dose isotretinoin (LDI; ≤0.5 mg/kg/day) for the four main types of rosacea: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous and ocular rosacea.
methodsRandomized and non-randomized studies evaluating LDI for rosacea were included. Incomplete studies, non-English studies and case reports were excluded. Study quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation scale.
resultsOf 435 studies, and 16 studies involving 1445 patients were included. LDI decreased lesion count (p = 0.03) and erythema (p = 0.01) with large effect [standardized mean difference (SMD) > 0.8]. Compared to topical retinoids and topical antimicrobials, isotretinoin had larger reductions in lesion count (p = 0.03) with moderate effect (SMD > 0.5). Mean lesion count and erythema remained reduced by 70% and 47%, respectively, at 16 weeks after LDI cessation. Relapse rate was 35% at 5.5 months post-isotretinoin, and three patients (0.4%) experienced worsening of rosacea. Three patients (0.4%) experienced serious adverse events.
conclusionsStudy design heterogeneity limited more comprehensive comparisons. Overall, low-dose isotretinoin may serve as an effective treatment for rosacea with good tolerability and safety.
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