The Acne Patient: Quality-of-Life and Clinical Questions
Anthony J. Mancini, MD, FAAP, FAAD
Head, Division of Pediatric Dermatology
Children's Memorial Hospital
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Ill.
Dr. Mancini has received grant/research support from Nestle Nutrition Institute; is a consultant to Astellas, Ferndale Laboratories, Inc., Galderma, Medicis, Novartis, SkinMedica, Inc., and Stiefel; and is on the speaker's bureau of Astellas, Graceway, and Novartis.

Approach to the Patient With Acne: Therapeutic Challenges
Magdalene A. Dohil, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine (Dermatology)
University of California, School of Medicine
Rady Children's Hospital
San Diego, Calif.
Dr. Dohil has nothing to disclose.

New and Emerging Topical Treatments for Acne
David M. Pariser, MD
Professor, Department of Dermatology
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Senior Physician
Pariser Dermatology Specialists, Ltd
Norfolk, Va.
Dr. Pariser has received grant/research support from Abbott Laboratories, Allergan, Astellas, Centocor, Inc., Cephalon, Inc., Connetics/Stiefel, Warner Chilcott, Dermik Laboratories, Amgen, DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Galderma, Genentech, Inc., Photocure ASA, Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp., and QLT Inc.; and is a consultant to Centocor, Warner Chilcott, Amgen, Genentech, Photocure, and QLT.

Scientific Reviewer:
James Q. Del Rosso, DO
Clinical Associate Professor, Dermatology
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, Henderson
Dermatology Residency Director
Valley Hospital Medical Center
Las Vegas, Nev.
Dr. Del Rosso has received grant support from Allergan Inc., Amgen Inc., Connetics Corporation, Coria Laboratories Ltd., Doak Dermatologics, Galderma Laboratories, L.P., Graceway Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, OrthoNeutrogena, Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., and Warner Chilcott. He is a consultant and on the speaker's bureau of Coria, Doak, Galderma, Graceway, Intendis, OrthoNeutrogena, and Stiefel; he is a consultant to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Astellas Pharma Inc.

Educational Reviewer:
Ronald K. Miller, PhD
Dr. Miller has nothing to disclose.

This educational activity has been developed for dermatologists, pediatricians, and other health care professionals who treat patients with acne.

Acne vulgaris is a follicular disorder that affects susceptible pilosebaceous follicles, primarily on the face, neck, and upper trunk, and is characterized by both non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions. Although rarely a serious medical condition, acne is the most common skin disease, with nearly 17 million people in the United States afflicted with the disease. Eighty-five percent of people 12 to 24 years of age develop acne, and nearly 40% of adolescents have acne severe enough to require treatment by a physician. In 2006, approximately 5.1 million patients were diagnosed with acne; of those patients, 50.7% were female.

Emerging therapies and regimens offer clinicians a broader range of options to improve tolerability, sustain positive clinical outcomes, and effectively treat a diverse patient population. Treatment of acne depends on the type, extent, and severity of the condition. Therapies affect acne by reducing sebum production, reducing bacteria, normalizing the keratinization process, and/or reducing inflammation. For patients with moderate to severe and persistent acne, oral and topical antibiotics have been the therapies of choice.

Topical treatments are indicated alone for mild to moderate comedonal lesions, superficial inflammatory (papular or pustular) lesions and nonscarring lesions. Topicals include tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, or salicylic acid. Systemic treatments are indicated for moderate to severe (scarring or nonscarring) lesions and patients with persistent hyperpigmentation and include tetracycline, erythromycin, minocycline, doxycycline, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Current guidelines for acne management recommend the use of combination regimens in order to address multiple aspects of acne pathogenesis.

Dermatologists and other health professionals treating patients with acne must have the latest clinical data and knowledge to individualize their patients' care.

At the conclusion of the program, the participants should be better able to:
• Discuss the pathophysiology and causes of acne, including the role of diet
• Target acne treatment to the causes of acne
• Identify practical and effective ways to improve tolerability of
• topical and systemic treatments of acne
• Understand and implement acne maintenance regimens for optimal clinical results

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME) and Pediatric News. The EOCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The EOCME designated this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Term of Approval: May 2008 - May 31, 2009.

Copyright © 2008 by Elsevier Inc.