Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42689161›Full record

ArticleClinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology2026

Isotretinoin-Associated Serum Creatinine Elevation During Acne Treatment: A Case Report.

Yi Chen, Ye-Ping Qin, Yan Li, Jing-Peng Chen, Ren-Jie Li, Ruo-Zhou Qi, Bao-Chen Zhu, Hui-Shang Feng

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yi Chen *Department of Dermatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0004-8884-444X
Ye-Ping Qin *Dermatology and Cosmetology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Yan LiDepartment of Nephrology and Endocrinology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Jing-Peng ChenDepartment of Dermatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Ren-Jie LiDepartment of Dermatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0009-9458-0379
Ruo-Zhou QiDepartment of Dermatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0004-1210-3354
Bao-Chen ZhuDepartment of Pharmacy, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Hui-Shang FengDepartment of Dermatology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.ORCID 0009-0007-6710-6319

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Isotretinoin is first-line for moderate-to-severe acne. Its common adverse reactions involve the mucocutaneous system, liver, and lipid metabolism, while renal dysfunction is often overlooked with scarce reports. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old female without prior renal dysfunction received isotretinoin 20 mg/day for acne. Serum creatinine rose after 3 weeks, reached 82.6 μmol/L by week 5, then decreased stepwise after discontinuation and normalized on follow-up. Urinary ultrasound was unremarkable. Observations and Analysis: The Naranjo score was 7, indicating a probable association. Unlike previous renal adverse events presenting with dysuria, edema, flank pain, or hematuria, this case was asymptomatic, which may be attributed to individual differences in drug metabolism. Conclusion: This case report describes a mild elevation in serum creatinine that was possibly associated with isotretinoin therapy and highlights the importance of clinical awareness of potential renal function changes during treatment, particularly in patients receiving long-term therapy or concomitant medications.

Indexed as

adverse drug reactioncase reportelevated creatinineIsotretinoinrenal dysfunction

Identifiers

PMID42689161
PMCPMC13537175

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.