Evaluation of liver function tests and blood lipids profile in patients with isotretinoin treatment

Acne is a disease that characterized by androgen-dependent, increased follicular keratinization, increased sebum secretion, colonization of Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit. Isotretinoin, which is used in the treatment of acne, is seen as the only effective treatment for all steps in acne pathophysiology. However, in addition to dermatological, psychiatric, ophthalmologic advers effects, isotretinoin has many side effects such as pancreatitis, thrombocytopenia, deterioration of blood lipid profile and drug-induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, it was aimed to determine the factors that are prone to deterioration in liver function tests and blood lipid profile due to isotretinoin. In our study, laboratory results of 796 patients using isotretinoin were examined. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein parameters were evaluated for this purpose. It was evaluated whether these values change according to age, sex and cumulative isotretinoin dose used. In conclusion, isotretinoin treatment was found to be safe in terms of liver function unless there is a known risk at the beginning. When the blood lipid profile was examined, it was found that triglyceride values tended to increase due to isotretinoin in female patients, high dose users and individuals over 18 years of age. Key words: Isotretinoin, AST, GGT, Triglyceride, Cholesterol