This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (22)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Joseph A. Tangrea, MPH; Ray F. Kilcoyne, MD; Philip R. Taylor, MD; William E. Helsel, MS; Maria Elena Adrianza; Anne M. Hartman, MS; Brenda K. Edwards, PhD; Gary L. Peck, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1992;128(7):921-925.

Abstract
• Background and Design.—
We conducted a prospective roentgenographic survey of patients participating in a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial that evaluated the effectiveness of chronic, very-low-dose (approximately 0.14 mg/kg per day for 3 years) isotretinoin in preventing the subsequent occurrences of new basal cell carcinoma in patients with previous basal cell carcinoma. To assess potential skeletal changes, a sample of 269 patients from among a total of 981 enrollees were randomly selected for comparative roentgenographic review. Baseline and 36-month roentgenograms of the cervical and thoracic spine of each patient were read side by side by a radiologist, masked to treatment group, who noted both the presence and extent of abnormalities at each vertebral level at baseline and the progression of existing or occurrence of new abnormalities at previously unaffected levels at 36 months.

Results.—
In comparison with the placebo group, significantly more patients in the isotretinoin group exhibited progression of existing hyperostotic abnormalities (40% vs 18%; P<.001) and new hyperostotic involvement at previously unaffected vertebral levels (8% vs 1%; P=.015).

Conclusion.—
Our findings indicate that chronic, very-low-dose isotretinoin can induce hyperostotic axial skeletal changes similar to those reported in patients taking higher doses.

(Arch Dermatol. 1992;128:921-925)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md (Mr Tangrea, Drs Taylor and Edwards, and Ms Hartman); Department of Radiology, University of Colorado, Denver (Dr Kilcoyne); Information Management Services Inc, Silver Spring, Md (Mr Helsel and Ms Adrianza); and Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md (Dr Peck).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication January 6, 1992.

Reprint requests to the Cancer Prevention Studies Branch, EPN, Room 211, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Mr Tangrea).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Phase I Clinical Trial of Alitretinoin and Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer Patients: Toxicity, Pharmacokinetic, and Biomarker Evaluations
Lawrence et al.
JCO 2001;19:2754-2763.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of long-term intake of retinol on selected clinical and laboratory indexes
Cartmel et al.
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1999;69:937-943.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effects of Isotretinoin on Bone Mineralization During Routine Therapy With Isotretinoin for Acne Vulgaris
Margolis et al.
Arch Dermatol 1996;132:769-774.
ABSTRACT  

A Comparison of the Efficacy of Topical Tretinoin and Low-Dose Oral Isotretinoin in Rosacea
Ertl et al.
Arch Dermatol 1994;130:319-324.
ABSTRACT  

The Effects of Isotretinoin on the Axial Skeleton and the Retinoid Effect
Margolis
Arch Dermatol 1992;128:1650-1650.
ABSTRACT