A propensity score matched cohort study identifying an association of acne, but not oral antibiotic or isotretinoin use, with risk of incident inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Background: Concerns remain regarding whether oral antibiotic or isotretinoin use for acne is associated with increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); little is known about whether acne itself is associated with IBD.

Objective: To determine whether isotretinoin exposure, oral tetracycline-class antibiotic exposure, and/or acne itself are associated with IBD.

Methods: A propensity score matched cohort study was performed using TriNetX between 2001 and 2022 to compare the 1-year incidence of IBD between those without acne compared to those with acne managed without systemic medications, acne managed with oral tetracycline-class antibiotics, and acne managed with isotretinoin.

Results: There was a statistically significant association between acne and risk of incident IBD (odds ratio: 1.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.23-1.65). There was no statistically significant association between oral tetracycline-class antibiotic or isotretinoin exposure and IBD.

Limitations: Use of electronic health data; potential for misclassification bias.

Conclusion: This matched cohort study identifies an association between acne and IBD. These data provide further reassurance regarding the use of isotretinoin in the treatment of acne.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; acne; doxycycline; inflammatory bowel disease; isotretinoin; minocycline; tetracyclines; ulcerative colitis.