ArticleBJGP open2025
Acne management in Norway: GP and dermatologist prescriptions (2012-2019): a nationwide overview.
Article in BJGP open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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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
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- The Management of Acne in General Practice using Isotretinoin: A Scoping Review Protocol.HRB open research · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAcne is common and associated with negative psychosocial health and risk of permanent skin alterations. GPs prescribe the main portion of antibiotics used for acne. Increased isotretinoin prescription by GPs can potentially reduce overall antibiotic use, but prescription practice and trends are unknown.
aimTo examine acne treatment in Norway and quantify prescription and initiation of isotretinoin and tetracyclines. DESIGN &
settingAn observational study linking data from health registries. Data were collected from the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD), the national GP claims register (KUHR database), and the Regular General Practitioner (RGP) registry.
methodAll patients aged 12-39 years who received an acne diagnosis or were prescribed acne medication in Norway 2012-2019 were included. Linear regression was used to explore time trends.
resultsIn total, 316 075 patients were included (63% female). Yearly prevalence of systemic treatment increased from 1.9 in 2012 to 2.4% in 2019; isotretinoin increased by +123%, tetracyclines by +4% as measured in defined daily doses (DDDs). Topical treatment increased by +13% as measured by number of prescriptions. GP prescription of tetracyclines decreased 11%; however, courses had a mean duration of 160 days, which is longer than the recommended 90 days, and only 26% had a co-occurring topical treatment prescription. GPs initiated 5% of isotretinoin courses in 2012, versus 10% in 2019, and 19% (
conclusionGPs reduced their prescription of tetracyclines, but our data still show potential for further improvements in prescribing practice. Increased isotretinoin prescription by GPs may lead to reduced antibiotic use and better treatment regimens for moderate-to-severe acne.
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