Abstract

Purpose. To compare between therapeutic efficacy of Azelaic acid 15% gel phonophoresis and Tazarotene 0.1% gel phonophoresis in treatment of acne vulgaris. Materials and methods. 80 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris with ages ranged from 18 to 25 years were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group (A): phonophoresis of Azelaic acid 15% gel. Group (B): phonophoresis of Tazarotene 0.1% gel. Group (C): (placebo ultrasound) topical Azelaic acid 15% gel without powered ultrasound. Group(D): (placebo ultrasound) topical Tazarotene 0.1% gel without powered ultrasound. Treatment administered (3 sessions / week) for 8 weeks. Acne count was determined at the beginning of treatment, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of treatment. Acnes count was measured using Digital Camera and the degree of improvement was determined using Investigator’s Global Assessment. Results. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was a significant decrease in acne count at post II compared with that of pre treatment in the group A, B, C and D (p < 0.001). The percent of decrease in acne count at post II of group A, B, C and D were 59.54, 78.31, 42.22 and 57.93% respectively. There was a significant difference in degree of improvement distribution between group A, B, C and D (p = 0.0001). group A (40%) moderate and (60%) marked, group B (15%) moderate and (85%) marked improvement, group C: (35%) mild, (60%) moderate and (5%) marked improvement, group D were (10%) mild, (35%) moderate and (55%) marked improvement. Conclusion. Phonophoresis of Tazarotene gel is more effective than Azelaic gel in reducing acnes count and improving cosmetic appearance of acne vulgaris patients.

Key words:

Acne vulgaris, Phonophoresis, Azelaic acid gel, Tazarotene gel, Investigator’s Global Assessment