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Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation With Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris Patients

Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation With Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04899843
Enrollment
122
Registered
2021-05-25
Start date
2021-04-27
Completion date
2021-11-30
Last updated
2022-03-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acne Vulgaris

Keywords

AV Zinc GAGS Serum zinc level

Brief summary

The study was 8 weeks, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effect of zinc sulphate on symptoms of mild and moderate acne vulgaris in 122 patients. Participants was assessed at baseline, and 8 weeks. Subjects was randomized to receive either 20 mg elemental zinc daily or 20 mg placebo tablet daily for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the measure of the GAGS score and the secondary measure includes serum zinc level and evaluate adverse effects.

Detailed description

Acne vulgaris (AV) is the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. Acne is a self-limiting condition, it may cause significant psychological and social problems, depression, disfigurement, and scarring that can persist for a lifetime. Multiple factors contribute to acne pathogenesis including increased sebum production, aberrant keratinization of the pilosebaceous duct, bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, hormonal influences, the skin microbiome, and chronic inflammation. Relapse rates in patients with acne after treatment with standard of care vary between 10% and 60%. Recent trials attempted to assess the effect of zinc in reducing the severity of symptoms of acne vulgaris patients. This study evaluates whether there is any role of zinc in reducing acne symptoms between those who did and did not receive zinc in an 8 weeks period. This includes 122 acne vulgaris patients who were recruited from Dermatology and Venereology OPD of BSMMU. Participants took either 20 mg elemental zinc daily in the form of zinc sulphate tablet or 20 mg placebo tablet daily for 8 weeks. Initially, baseline serum zinc level was measured and repeated again after 8 weeks of intervention. A baseline acne symptoms survey was done by GAGS score and also repeated at 8 weeks.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTZinc sulphate tablet 20 mg

Zinc sulphate tablet 20 mg daily orally for 8 weeks along with topical retinoids.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo tablet 20 mg

Placebo tablet 20 mg daily orally for 8 weeks along with topical retinoids

Sponsors

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Intervention model description

Newly diagnosed Acne vulgaris patients

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
11 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Newly diagnosed mild and moderate AV patients diagnosed by a dermatologist at the outpatient Department of Dermatology and Venereology, * Age: 11-35 years, * Gender: Both male and female

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy and lactation, * History of oral contraceptive pills, zinc, and iron intake, * Suffering from any cosmetic induced acne

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Acne vulgaris severity score assessment8 weeksAssess the severity score of acne vulgaris symptoms by GAGS(Global Acne Grading System) at baseline, and after 8 weeks. And compare the score between two groups. GAGS scores : 1-18 Mild, 19-30 Moderate

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Biochemical assessment and evaluate the adverse effects8 weeksSerum zinc level was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks intervention.Compare the serum zinc level between two group. Adverse effects are evaluated which reported by patients.

Countries

Bangladesh

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026