Introduction

Dermatologists treat acne vulgaris, one of the most prevalent skin conditions, which primarily affects teens but can occur at any age. By definition, acne is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous units that is also a multifactorial skin lesion [1]. Seborrhea, comedones, erythematous papules and pustules, less frequently nodules, deep pustules or pseudocysts, and ultimately scarring in a small number of them are among the various clinical manifestations. Increased sebum production, follicular hyper keratinization, Propionibacterium acne (P. acne) colonization, and inflammation-related byproducts are the four basic pathogenetic mechanisms of acne [2-5]. Acne may negatively impair a person's mental and emotional well-being, which could result in social phobias, social disengagement, and clinical depression [6]. It often manifests as non-inflammatory lesions, inflammatory lesions, or a combination of both, usually affecting the face but occasionally also affecting the back and chest. Both closed and open comedowns make up a non-inflammatory lesion. Inflammatory lesion present in the form of erythematous macules, papules and pustules in majority of cases [7]. Follicular differentiation, excessive sebum production, Propionibacterium acnes, and inflammation are the key pathophysiology's involved in the development of acne [8]. In recent years, due to better understanding of the pathogenesis of acne, new therapeutic modalities are designed. Oral and topical treatments are both part of the general treatment for acne vulgaris [9]. Azelaic acid, Tretinoin, and Benzoyl peroxide are examples of topical therapies. Acnevulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that affects predominantly adolescents and young adults. It is characterized by noninflammatory, open or closed comedones and inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules. It results from androgen-induced increased sebum production, altered keratinization, inflammation, and bacterial colonization of hair follicles byPropionibacterium acnes. [10] Itis a complex disease with multifactorial pathogenesis and considerable variation in severity.Acnedevelops in the pilosebaceous unit, composed of epidermal cells lining the hair follicle and the sebaceous gland. Acnerepresents obstruction and inflammation of the sebaceous follicles, a subtype of pilosebaceous units [11]. Gels are chosen over creams and lotions because they are typically more stable and active, and because water-based gels are less irritating [12,13]. Antibiotics used in oral therapy include Minocycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, trimethoprim, and minocycline, among others. Among them, azithromycin and Minocycline are currently widely utilized in therapeutic settings [14,15]. In the past, minocycline was thought to be more effective than other medications at treating inflammatory acne, especially when it came to Propionibacterium acnes, which is resistant to many antibiotics [16]. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of azithromycin and minocycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care hospital Dhaka District from June 2021 to July 2022. A total of 120 patients diagnosed with acne regardless of age and sex. Patient who were willing to participate in the study were included in the study. Pregnant and lactating women with acne and the patients who failed to give consent were excluded from the study. The Jerry KL Tan. -developed and verified sign and symptom score system was used to grade acne cases. severity of acne was evaluated considering the number of non-inflammatory lesions, inflammatory lesions and total lesions as follows: Severity was graded as 0(None), 1 (Mild), 2 (Moderate) and 3 (Severe). Non-Inflammatory lesions: 0 (absent), 1 (100) Inflammatory lesions: 0 (absent), 1 (50) Total lesions count: 0 (absent), 1 (125). Total cases were divided into 2 groups, each group contained 60 patients. Patients of Group 1 were given Azithromycin Group 2 were given Minocycline. After a period of 6 weeks, each patient was followed up to evaluate number of non-inflammatory lesions, inflammatory lesions and total lesions count as mentioned above. The efficacy of either drug was also measured with the efficacy parameters stated above. The detail of the study was explained to each eligible respondent and consent was taken. After collection, the data were checked and cleaned, followed by editing, compiling, coding and categorizing according to the objectives and variable to detect errors and to maintain consistency, relevancy and quality control. Collected data were edited and analyzed according to the objectives and variables by IBM software- Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS 25) version. Ethical clearance was taken from the IRB of the institution.

Results

Table 1: Distribution of the patients by age group

Table 2: Distribution of the patients by Mean, Minimum and Maximum age.

Figure 1: Distribution of the patients by sex.

According to distribution of the patients by sex, 35% patients were male, 65% patients were female.

Table 3: Distribution of the patients by Education.

Table-4 shows the reduction in the percentage, in the number of inflammatory lesions, non inflammatory and total lesions of post 6 months was better with azithromycin group as compared to Minocycline.

Table 4: Comparison of clinical characteristics of acne in azithromycin and Minocycline treated groups before treatment and post 1 month of treatment

Discussion

A self-limiting inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit, acne vulgaris can have a chronic history. The hypersensitivity of the sebaceous glands to the normally circulating dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) causes it to develop during adolescence and is brought on by Propionibacterium acnes. It is a common skin disorder which can present with inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions chiefly on the face but can also occur on the upper arms, trunk, and back. Here, it was a Prospective longitudinal study from January 2021- Decembe2021 at Medical College for Women and Hospital, Department of dermatology. Total 60 patients were participated. Patients of Group 1 were given Azithromycin Group 2 were given Minocycline. The mean (±SD) of the patients. The mean (±SD) age of the total sample was 27.26(±4.97). In Azithromycin group it was 25.97(±3.86), In Minocycline group 23.87(±7.84). The minimum age of the total sample was 16 years, maximum age was 45. Among all the patients 65% were female and 35% were male. A previous study showed at age 18, males were more likely than women to have acne, but by the time they reached the age of 23, women were more likely to have clinical acne as the frequency of acne in men gradually decreased [17]. In this study about 66.67% patients completed secondary level of education, 8.33% completed primary level of education and 25% were graduate. Here, we have studied the efficacy of two drugs used routinely in clinical practice named Azithromycin and Minocycline. The reduction in the percentage, in the number of inflammatory lesions, non-inflammatory and total lesions of post 1 month was better with azithromycin group as compared to Minocycline. Another study showed, A macrolide antibiotic with a wide therapeutic range is azithromycin. By interfering with their ability to make proteins, it stops bacteria from expanding. It prevents mRNA from being translated by binding reversibly to the bacterial ribosome's 50S subunit. Its anti-bacterial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects make it useful in the treatment of acne. Diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain are typical side effects, as well as palpitations, angina, dyspepsia, flatus, vomiting, melena, jaundice, vaginal monilia, vaginitis, nephritis, vertigo, headaches, and fatigue [18]. Because it was considered to be superior to other choices, minocycline was the antibiotic that was most frequently used to treat acne. Minocycline prescriptions for acne have decreased significantly during the past ten years. However, the recent authorization of an extended-release version (Solodyn) in the United States raises the possibility that its use will rise once more [19].

Limitations of the study

The present study was conducted in a very short period due to time constraints and funding limitations. The small sample size was also a limitation of the present study.

Conclusion

Patients with acne who received azithromycin and Minocycline separately in the current study, showed improvements in a number of criteria measuring the severity of the lesion. The reduction in the percentage, in the number of inflammatory lesions, non-inflammatory and total lesions of post 6 months was better with azithromycin group as compared to Minocycline. Studies have also demonstrated that azithromycin has a decreased frequency of negative effects [20].

Recommendation

This study can serve as a pilot to much larger research involving multiple centers that can provide a nationwide picture, validate regression models proposed in this study for future use and emphasize points to ensure better management and adherence.

Acknowledgements

The wide range of disciplines involved in a comparative study on efficacy of azithromycin and minocycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris research means that editors need much assistance from referees in the evaluation of papers submitted for publication. I would also like to be grateful to my colleagues and family who supported me and offered deep insight into the study.

Declaration

Funding

None funding sources.

Conflict of interest

The authors state that the publishing of this paper does not include any conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the informed consent of the participant patients.

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