Efficacy and safety of sun block in the management of acne and post acne pigmentation among Malaysian patients

ISRCTN ISRCTN31328643
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN31328643
Secondary identifying numbers JKEUPM-2021-288 (NMRR-21-793-59045)
Submission date
07/10/2022
Registration date
26/10/2022
Last edited
06/08/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims:
Acne affects up to 85% of the adolescents, with 80% of cases may develop post acne pigmentation. Retinoids are effective, but intolerance is common, thus limiting their usage. Cosmeceuticals may improve tolerability of retinoids. We aim to explore the effectiveness and tolerability of a Lichochalcone A containing sunscreen in the management of acne and post acne pigmentation.

Who can participate:
Adults, male and female, with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, complicating with post acne pigmentation are eligible to participate

What does this study involve?
This is a randomized, double blinded, comparator-controlled trial will be conducting in the Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital from March 2022 to June 2022. A 2-week walk-in period will be used to assess the efficacy and tolerability of adapalene. The subjects will then randomized into two arms, each receiving different sunscreen, to be used concurrently with adapalene. They will be followed up for another 4 weeks to observe for the improvement of acne severity, post acne hyperpigmentation index, melanin and erythema index and complication rates.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
(a) TO THE SUBJECT
You will be closely followed up according to the study protocol and get to be monitored closely for any potential intolerance to the treatment received. You will also be receiving a good quality sunscreen, which may or may not benefit your facial acne and pigmentation. You will get to have your skin assessed in a more objective manner, which rarely available during the usual clinic consult. During each followup, you will be assigned with a RM30 emolument to cover your travel expenses. Please be informed that tea/ lunch will be provided, depending on your visiting time.
(b) TO THE INVESTIGATOR
This study will allow the health care provider to understand the role of sunprotection and its active ingredients in acne and acne pigmentation management better.

Where is the study run from?
Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2021 to July 2022

Who is funding the study?
This study will be funded by Beiersdorf (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Who is the main contact?
Dr Kang Nien How, hkangnien@upm.edu.my

Contact information

Dr Kang Nien How
Principal Investigator

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Serdang
43400
Malaysia

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-8032-9804
Phone 03 9769 5601
Email hkangnien@upm.edu.my

Study information

Study designRandomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleA comprehensive study of the efficacy and safety of Licochalcone A , Glycyrrhetinic acid and L-Carnitine containing sun block in the management of acne and post acne pigmentation among Malaysian patients : A randomized, double blinded, comparator controlled trial
Study objectivesLicochalcone A, Glycyrrhetinic acid and L-Carnitine containing sunscreen is effective is reducing acne and post acne hyperpigmentation.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 06/10/2021, Universiti Putra Malaysia Ethic Committee for Research Involving Human Subject (JKEUPM, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; +60 397691605; jkeupm@upm.edu.my), ref: UPM/TNCPI/RMC/JKEUPM/1.4.18.2
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedImprove the treatment of acne and acne pigmentation
InterventionWalk in period using adapalene for 2 weeks, followed by randomization into intervention and control arm
Intervention: Lichochalcone A containing sunscreen + Adapalene
Control arm: Comparator sunscreen + adapalene
Follow-up duration for intevention: 4 weeks
Total duration of study: 6 weeks
Randomization process: chit method - total 56 chits were divided into 2 groups, 23 each. Each chit was written "A" or "B". These chits are then put into a black box, not visible from the outside. Participants were asked to draw from this box. They were randomized according to which chit they had drawn. A was into intervention, while B was into the control arm. Chits drawn will be discarded and will not be replaced.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Acne severity using CASS at baseline and week 6
2. Post acne pigmentation using PAHPI at baseline and week 6
Secondary outcome measuresAt baseline and week 6:
1. Total number of inflammatory and non inflammatory acne
2. Acne severity using GAGS
3. Post acne pigmentation using skin analyser
4. Sebum using sebumeter
5. Skin pH using pH meter probe
6. Treatment related complications using a check list of anticipated complication, and subjects' own report
7. Weight of cleanser, tretinoin and sunblock – determine compliance: subjects were asked to bring back their cleanser, tretinoin and sunblock. The above will be weighted using a weighing machine up to 2 decimal point.
8. Patient satisfaction to treatment using visual analogue scale. Scale range from worse, no change, good, very good.
9. Acne related quality of life using CADI
Overall study start date06/10/2021
Completion date30/07/2022

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants56
Total final enrolment50
Key inclusion criteria1. Males and females with acne vulgaris aged ≥18 years old
2. Clinically diagnosed by dermatologist as acne vulgaris on the face with
2.1. Inflammatory lesion (papules and pustules) of <25
2.2. Non inflammatory lesions (open or close comedones of <50)
3. Patient must have post acne pigmentation with at least a PAHPI score of 6
Key exclusion criteria1. Other forms of acne (acne conglobata, acne excoriate, acne rosacea, acne cosmetica, pomade acne, acne fulminans, acne keloidalis nuchae, acne chloracne, acne mechanica and acne medicamentosa)
2. Nodulocystic acne
3. CASS 4-5
4. On oral antibiotic for the last 1 months
5. On oral isotretinoin for the last 6 months
6. On topical antimicrobial or tretinoin for the last 2 weeks
7. Photosensitivity
8. If patient is currently pregnant or lactating
9. Other comorbidities that require any route of medication commencement (i.e hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, bronchial asthma)
10. If there is any known allergy to the active ingredients in the preparation
11. Patients who have any other facial dermatoses
12. Patients who like outdoor activities and couldn’t comply to sunprotection.
Date of first enrolment01/03/2022
Date of final enrolment30/06/2022

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Malaysia

Study participating centre

Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital
Persiaran Mardi - Upm
Serdang
43400
Malaysia

Sponsor information

Beiersdorf (Malaysia)
Industry

Level 12, Tower 1
PJ33, 3, Jalan Professor Khoo Kay Kim
Seksyen 13
Petaling Jaya
46200
Malaysia

Phone +60 3-7940 9668
Email Wilson.Chew@Beiersdorf.com

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Beiersdorf
Private sector organisation / For-profit companies (industry)
Location
Germany

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/10/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a Q3 ISI indexed journal "Cosmetic"
IPD sharing planThe data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 23/12/2023 06/08/2024 Yes No

Editorial Notes

06/08/2024: Publication reference added.
11/10/2022: Trial's existence confirmed by Universiti Putra Malaysia Ethic Committee