COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF SYSTEMIC INTERFERON ALFA-2A PLUS ISOTRETINOIN VERSUS ISOTRETINOIN IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT CONDYLOMA ACUMINATUM IN MEN

Objectives. Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effective ness of isotretinoin versus interferon alfa-2a plus isotretinoin in th e treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum in 86 men. Methods. Men were randomly assigned to group A (n = 42) who received isotretinoin m g/kg orally daily until remission was achieved, but not more than 3 mo nths; or to group B (n = 44) who received interferon alfa-2a 3 X 10(5) IU subcutaneously three times weekly until remission was achieved, bu t not more than 8 weeks, plus isotretinoin in the same dosage as in gr oup A. Results. The reduced duration of treatment to achieve remission was statistically significant in group B (2.18 versus 2.5 months; P < 0.01) and the recurrence rate was less in group B (4 of 44 versus 16 of 42; P < 0.01). Conclusions. The results of this study are encouragi ng and demonstrated that the combination of isotretinoin plus interfer on alfa-2a achieves higher remission rates and a shorter duration of t reatment than isotretinoin alone.