Acne

The 2005 article from the New England Journal of Medicine discussed acne as a prevalent condition affecting over 85% of teenagers and persisting into adulthood, with significant social and emotional impacts. It described acne as a follicular disease with contributions from androgens and Propionibacterium acnes. Various treatments were reviewed, including topical retinoids, antimicrobials like benzoyl peroxide, combination therapies, oral antibiotics for moderate-to-severe cases, hormonal agents for women, and isotretinoin for severe cases. The article noted a 50 to 60 percent improvement with oral antibiotics, but raised concerns about antibiotic resistance. Hormonal therapy showed a 30 to 60 percent reduction in lesions, while isotretinoin was highly effective but had serious side effects. The need for more randomized controlled trials was emphasized to guide therapy choices, and a combination of topical and oral therapy was recommended for moderately severe acne.