Efficacy and safety of topical 5% dapsone gel for acne vulgaris.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical 5% dapsone gel in treatment of acne vulagris. Study Design: Non-Randomised Clinical Trial. Setting: Departments of Dermatology, GTTH and SIMS Lahore. Period: April, 2022 to July, 2023. Methods:              A multi-centre study conducted in Dermatology Departments of GTTH and SIMS Lahore after permission from Institutional review board (Ref. No.LM&DC/ 5340-44/2022, dated 14.4.2022). Informed consent was obtained from patients for 12-week treatment with Topical 5% dapsone gel. Global Acne Assessment Score (GAAS) was calculated at 0,2,4,6,8 and 12 weeks. Efficacy was measured as percentage reduction in the number of lesions as achievement of GAAS 0 or 1 at 12 weeks. Relapse was checked on monthly follow-ups till 24 weeks. Results: A total of 90 diagnosed patients of acne vulgaris were enrolled, 12.79% males and 87.21% females; 86 patients aged 13-30 years with mean age 21.31±4.70 years continued treatment. At baseline mean inflammatory, non-inflammatory and total number of lesions were 31.36, 28.21 and 59.57 and at 12 weeks values decreased to 2.86, 6.90 and 9.58 (p-value <.001) and 47 out of 86 patients achieved success of which 17 patients showed relapse. Adverse events were erythema and dryness noted in 9% patients. Conclusion: Topical 5% dapsone gel is efficacious and safe for the treatment of acne vulgaris.