ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025
Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Isotretinoin: Evaluation of Red Cell Distribution Width to Lymphocyte and Platelet Ratios as New Hematological Markers and Clinical Outcomes in Acne Vulgaris.
Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Inflammation-mediated facial nodules to compounded tirzepatide.JAAD case reports · 2026Article
- Divergent System Organ Class Safety Profiles of Isotretinoin Versus Topical Retinoids: An EudraVigilance Disproportionality Analysis.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Article
- Insights into the Use of Erythrocyte and Platelet Distribution Indices for Assessing the Extent of Coronary Lesions.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Observational
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAcne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease influenced by systemic immune responses. While isotretinoin is the most effective treatment for severe acne, its effects on hematological markers of inflammation, in particular red cell distribution width (RDW)-to-lymphocyte and RDW-to-platelet ratios, remain unclear.
methodsThis retrospective study analyzed 450 acne patients treated with isotretinoin for at least 24 weeks. Hematological parameters, including complete blood count (CBC) indices, RDW-derived ratios, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), as well as biochemical markers (ALT, AST, ALP) and clinical measures (lesion counts, Global Acne Grading Score [GAGS], Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI], SF-36, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) at baseline and weeks 8, 16, and 24.
resultsIsotretinoin treatment was associated with significant reductions in systemic inflammatory markers, including WBC count, NLR, and MLR, while lymphocyte count increased (p < 0.001). The ratios of RDW to lymphocytes and RDW to platelets also decreased over time (p < 0.001). Liver enzymes remained stable. Clinical assessments showed significant improvements in acne severity, quality of life, and mental health scores (p < 0.001). Adverse events were reported in 90.7% of patients, with musculoskeletal symptoms and constipation more common than previously reported.
conclusionThis study highlights the systemic immunomodulatory effects of isotretinoin, particularly the significant changes in RDW-derived ratios, suggesting their potential as novel inflammatory markers. These findings reinforce the broader effects of isotretinoin beyond sebaceous gland suppression and support its role in the regulation of systemic inflammation.
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