A Causal Association Between Isotretinoin and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Has Yet to Be Established
- 5 October 2009
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in The American Journal of Gastroenterology
- Vol. 104 (10), 2387-2393
- https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2009.334
Abstract
Case reports have described a possible association between isotretinoin and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We critically appraised the literature on this association to assess whether it supports a causal relationship. We systematically searched for case reports, case series, and clinical trials assessing this association. We then applied the Hill criteria to evaluate causality. Twelve case reports and one case series reported an association between isotretinoin use and subsequent development of IBD. Cases occurred in seven countries over a 23-year period and differed with respect to reported isotretinoin dose, duration of treatment before development of disease, whether disease developed on or off medication, and clinical presentation of disease. No prospective or retrospective studies have examined the relationship between isotretinoin and IBD. An estimated 59 coincident cases of IBD would be expected in isotretinoin users each year, assuming no increased risk. Alternative explanations may account for the sequence of events seen in case reports. Strength, specificity, and consistency of the association are lacking. Current evidence is insufficient to confirm or refute a causal association between isotretinoin and IBD. Additional prospective or well-designed retrospective (e.g., case–control) pharmacoepidemiological studies are needed to definitively establish causality.Keywords
This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit:
- Role of retinoic acid in the imprinting of gut-homing IgA-secreting cellsSeminars in Immunology, 2009
- Isotretinoin-associated Pan-enteritisJournal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 2008
- Vraisemblable rectocolite hémorragique induite par l’isotrétinoïneGastroentérologie Clinique et Biologique, 2005
- Isotretinoína y colitis ulcerosaAnales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra, 2004
- Treatment of severe acne with isotretinoin in patients with inflammatory bowel diseaseBritish Journal of Dermatology, 1990
- The safety of isotretinoin in patients with acne and systemic diseasesJournal of Dermatological Treatment, 1989
- Inflammatory bowel disease and isotretinoinJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1986
- Oral isotretinoin and inflammatory bowel diseaseJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1985
- Retinoic Acid EmbryopathyNew England Journal of Medicine, 1985
- Isotretinoin versus placebo in the treatment of cystic acne: A randomized double-blind studyJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1982