A prospective study of adverse reactions of ALA-PDT for acne vulgaris

• DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.102752
• Publication Date: 2022-02-14T17:23:07Z
• Authors: Lei Shi; Jiayi Yang; Linglin Zhang; Yunfeng Zhang; Guorong Yan; Haiyan Zhang; Xiaojing Liu; Jin Yang; Peiru Wang; Guolong Zhang; Zhongxia Zhou; Xiuli Wang
• Keywords: Male; China; Photosensitizing Agents; Pruritus; Pain; Aminolevulinic Acid; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Photochemotherapy; Hyperpigmentation; Acne Vulgaris; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease around pilosebaceous unit. 5-Aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is an effective therapy for severe acne vulgaris. However, the lack of detailed information of adverse reactions limits the promotion of ALA-PDT in clinic.To systemically investigate the adverse reactions relating to ALA-PDT for acne vulgaris.A prospective study was performed at the Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital.In the prospective study, 35 patients with acne vulgaris completed the trial. The adverse reactions were first divided into acute-phase adverse reactions, including erythema (94.3%), post-treatment pain (91.4%), burning skin (91.4%), dry skin (91.4%), itching (85.7%), pustule (82.9%), edema (20%) and blister (11.4%), or recovery-phase adverse reactions, which included crust (65.6%), exudation (48.6%) and hyperpigmentation (42.7%). Younger patients were more likely to have pustules (P<0.05). Male patients were represented itching more often than female patients (P<0.05). The efficacy of ALA-PDT for severe acne was positively related to the severity of acute-phase adverse reactions. The duration of pain was shortest. Crusting and hyperpigmentation lasted considerably longer.In the present study, we recorded the relative incidence of various adverse reactions following ALA-PDT for acne vulgaris. The severity of adverse reactions tended to decrease with increased patient age, except for itching and hyperpigmentation. Light-to-moderate adverse reactions might be the inflammatory reactions of ALA-PDT, predicting a good efficacy. A form for evaluation of adverse reactions based on the present study could assist dermatologists in predicting and managing adverse reactions for greater efficacy and higher patient satisfaction.