Interpretation of Biochemical Tests Using the Reference Change Value in Monitoring Adverse Effects of Oral Isotretinoin in 102 Ethnic Turkish Patients

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to model the use of reference change values (RCVs) for the follow-up of 4 parameters of patients using oral isotretinoin which is gaining widespread popularity for monitoring the side effects of the treatment. METHOD: 102 patients received 30 mg/day oral isotretinoin for 24 weeks for the diagnosis of acne vulgaris. RESULTS: Repetitive measurements of the patients were interpreted with RCVs, after comparing the first and second doses based on RCVs: TC, TG, AST and ALT results increased in 12%, 20%, 14% and 12% of the patients respectively. When the first dose was compared with the last dose, the increases were 20%, 29%, 22% and 18% respectively interpreted as significant changes based on laboratory medicine. CONCLUSIONS: A more sensitive follow-up is possible in the monitorization of adverse effects by using RCVs method.