Table 2. Dermatologists’ responses regarding starting isotretinoin for acne treatment (n=147).
N, frequency number; %, percentage
| The dimension | Item | N(%) |
| The number of patients who had an isotretinoin prescription in the last year (2022) | 0–10 | 20 (13.60) |
| 10–50 | 33 (22.45) | |
| 50–100 | 53 (36.06) | |
| More than 100 | 41 (27.89) | |
| Important reasons for starting treatment with isotretinoin | Treating patients with skin disorders | 5 (03.40) |
| Failure to respond to previous treatments | 22 (14.97) | |
| An indicator of resistant nodular acne | 45 (30.61) | |
| According to my experience, I prescribe it to people who suffer from severe acne | 58 (39.45) | |
| Patient request | 5 (03.40) | |
| Psychological complications resulting from acne | 12 (08.16) | |
| Causes of refusal to prescribe isotretinoin | A blood test indicates liver enzyme abnormality | 115 (78.23) |
| Unreliable contraceptives | 45 (03.61) | |
| Central nervous system disorders | 15 (10.20) | |
| Current depression | 7 (04.80) | |
| Previous history of depression | 7 (04.80) | |
| Lipid profile abnormality | 39 (26.53) | |
| Pregnancy and fertility problems | 72 (48.99) | |
| The dose of isotretinoin is determined according to: | The weight | 66 (44.89) |
| General initial dose | 102 (69.39) | |
| Severity of acne | 74 (50.34) | |
| Sex | 14 (09.52) | |
| When do you ask the patient to perform pregnancy tests? | Every month before the prescription | 12 (08.16) |
| First session only | 42 (28.57) | |
| With periods of more than a month | 15 (10.20) | |
| Never, it is the patient's responsibility | 78 (53.07) | |
| What is the most effective method of contraception? | Barrier contraceptives | 17 (11.57) |
| Oral contraceptive drugs (OCP) | 33 (22.45) | |
| Intrauterine devices (IUD) | 49 (33.35) | |
| Long-term contraceptives such as progesterone injections | 29 (19.73) | |
| I will not prescribe anything | 8 (05.44) | |
| Depends on the patient | 11 (07.48) | |
| Do you refer patients with a prior history of depression to a specialist before starting isotretinoin? | No | 22 (14.97) |
| Yes | 9 (06.12) | |
| If there is a possibility of depression, I will not prescribe isotretinoin | 96 (65.31) | |
| Depends on the patient | 20 (13.60) | |
| When do you request blood tests after starting treatment? | Per month | 6 (04.08) |
| Once after 6-8 weeks | 12 (08.16) | |
| Every three months | 43 (29.26) | |
| Every two months | 34 (23.13) | |
| Periods exceeding three months | 41 (27.89) | |
| After a month and then every two months | 5 (03.40) | |
| None of the above | 6 (04.08) | |
| Repeated prescribing of isotretinoin course | Less than a month | 12 (08.16) |
| From one to three months | 108 (73.46) | |
| Three to six months | 12 (08.16) | |
| Six to nine months | 7 (04.80) | |
| Nine to twelve months | 5 (03.40) | |
| More than twelve months | 3 (02.04) | |
| Precautions for side effects | Moisturizing eye drops | 17 (11.57) |
| Not using contact lenses | 6 (04.08) | |
| Use sunscreen | 77 (52.38) | |
| Use moisturizing skin cream | 31 (21.09) | |
| Nasal moisturizer | 6 (04.08) | |
| Analgesic for joints and muscles | 10 (06.8) |