SynthesisArchives of dermatological research2025
Efficacy and safety of Spironolactone in treating patients with acne vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,086 patients.
Synthesis in Archives of dermatological research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Oral and Topical Spironolactone in Adult Female Acne: A Narrative Review Comparing Systemic and Local Approaches.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Acne vulgaris affects 9% of the global population, particularly women, affecting their quality of life. Topical treatments are preferred for mild acne, while systemic management is necessary for moderate and severe cases. Spironolactone, an androgen receptor inhibitor, may be effective for severe acne, although no concrete evidence exists. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on five databases up until July 25th, 2024, to evaluate the effectiveness or safety of Spironolactone for acne vulgaris. A meta-analysis using R software was conducted to assess the total number of lesions, acne severity score, adverse events, mean count of comedones, papules, and pustules, and acne severity. Search process identified 14 studies (n = 1,086). Meta-analysis found that Spironolactone 5% was more effective than placebo in reducing total lesion count and acne severity index (ASI) (MD - 6.85, 95% CI [-10.94; -2.76], P < 0.01) and (MD - 6.33, 95% CI [- 8.89; -3.76], P < 0.01) respectively. The 100 mg group showed a significant improvement in ASI compared to the topical group. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found no significant difference in comedones and pustules count over 6-8 weeks, while single-arm studies showed significant improvement after 8 weeks. Meta-analysis found that spironolactone 5% significantly reduced total lesion count and acne severity index after eight weeks, while also reducing comedones and papules. The safety profile is excellent. The limited number of eligible studies and evidence from single-arm studies indicates the need for more randomized controlled trials.
Indexed as
Identifiers
39891744What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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