Objectives: Acne vulgaris is a common chronic and distressing skin disorder. The safety, efficacy and the impact on quality of life of topical clindamycin and adapalene combination versus antibiotic free topical combination of benzoyl peroxide and adapalene was assessed. Methods: A six-month prospective double blind randomised study was carried out in dermatology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. According to study criteria 80 patients of 12 to 25years with either grade 1 or 2 acne vulgaris were randomised to group A and B and used combination A (benzoyl peroxide2.5%w/w and adapalene) or B (clindamycin 1.0%w/w and adapalene) once daily for a period of eight weeks. The investigator’s global assessment and Cardiff acne disability index were applied in baseline, week 4 and 8.
Results: The mean (± standard deviation) age of subjects was 20.30±2.92 and 18.92±3.22 years for group A and B respectively. A higher number of female subjects were enrolled in each group. Throughout the study both treatments reduced non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions significantly. Between the groups study showed non-significant difference in the non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesion count at each follow up. However, there was significant difference in the number of papules and pustules (P<0.05). The study subjects were assessed for Cardiff acne disability index as well and at the second follow up a significant difference (P=0.03) was observed. Conclusion: In non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions with limited number of papules and pustule the combination of benzoyl peroxide and adapalene is preferred to reduce bacterial resistance in relative to antibiotic.
