International Journal of Advance Research Publication and Reviews

International Journal of Advance Research Publication and Reviews
Peer-Reviewed | Multi-Disciplinary Journal

ISSN: 3049-0103 (O)

Impact Factor: 4.33

PATTERN AND APPROPRIATENESS OF ANTIBIOTIC USE IN ACNE VULGARIS AND ANTIFUNGAL USE IN TINEA INFECTION AS PER STANDARD TREATMENT GUIDELINES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Author

Madhushalini B., Sumaiya Taj ,Goutham Gowda B ,Shivumuttu ,Hamsaveni M ,Sheba Baby John , Umesh M

Abstract

 Background: Acne vulgaris and tinea (dermatophyte) infection are among the commonest reasons for a dermatology outpatient visit and are routinely managed with antimicrobials, yet prescribing audits repeatedly report deviations from standard treatment guidelines. Objectives: To identify, appraise and synthesise studies describing antibiotic-prescribing patterns in acne vulgaris and antifungal-prescribing patterns in tinea infection, and to assess conformity with standard treatment guidelines (AAD acne guideline, IADVL Dermatophytosis Manual, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines). Methods: Conducted per PRISMA 2020, a structured multi-source search of PubMed/MEDLINE-, Google Scholar-, DOAJ- and Scopus-indexed literature, institutional repositories and medRxiv was performed on 17 August 2026, supplemented by backward citation searching. A single reviewer performed screening, extraction and quality appraisal using an adapted JBI checklist. Results: Of 46 records identified and 36 screened after de-duplication, 9 studies were included (5 on acne antibiotic prescribing, 4 on tinea antifungal prescribing). Drug-class selection was broadly guideline-concordant, but only 2 of 9 studies formally benchmarked prescribing using WHO/INRUD indicators. Recurring concerns included prolonged antimicrobial duration and demographic inequity in acne, and low essential-medicines adherence and polypharmacy in tinea. Conclusion: Prescribing generally selects guideline-consistent drug classes, but formal indicator-based verification of appropriateness remains uncommon; standardised prescribing indicators and dermatology-specific antimicrobial stewardship are priorities for future practice and research.

Keywords

Acne Vulgaris; Tinea; Antibiotic Prescribing; Antifungal Agents; Standard Treatment Guidelines; Systematic Review.

Full Text:

Download Paper PDF

References

  1. Adelman, M. J., Sivesind, T. E., Weber, I., Bosma, G., Hochheimer, C., Karimkhani, C., et al. (2023). Prescribing patterns of oral antibiotics and isotretinoin for acne in a Colorado hospital system: Retrospective cohort study. JMIR Dermatology, 6, e42883.
  2. Government of India, Directorate General of Health Services. (2018). Prohibition of 328 fixed dose combinations by the Central Government vide gazette notification nos. S.O. 4379(E) to S.O. 4706(E). Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  3. Kalola, A. S., Shah, S. M., & Mistry, C. B. (2023). Evaluation of prescription pattern of antifungal drugs in the dermatology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 12(3), 427–433.
  4. Modi, R. D., & Dumra, G. H. (2024). Drug utilization pattern evaluation and cost variation analysis of anti-fungal agents in tinea infected patients in dermatology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 13(1), 136–140.
  5. Naaz, R., Chand, S., Nandakumar, U. P., Vinay, B. C., Bharath Raj, K. C., & Shetty, S. (2021). Prospective observational study on prescribing pattern of antifungal drugs in the 400 out-patient department of dermatology in a tertiary care hospital. Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal, 14(1), 311–316.
  6. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71.
  7. Patel, P. B., Prajapati, A., Patel, S., Chaudhary, V., & Rathod, V. (2023). Prescribing pattern of antifungal drugs in a tertiary care teaching hospital in western India. Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacy Research, 8(1), 43–52.
  8. Pooja, M., Holla, R., Girisha, B. S., & Puneeth, A. (2018). A study of prescription pattern in the drug therapy of acne vulgaris at a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore, India. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 7(1), 80–86.
  9. Rana, P., Ghadlinge, M., & Roy, V. (2021). Topical antifungal-corticosteroid fixed-drug combinations: Need for urgent action. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 53(1), 82–84.
  10. Reynolds, R. V., Yeung, H., Cheng, C. E., Lynde, C., Mahato, M., Sivamani, R. K., et al. (2024). Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 90(5), 1006–1035.
  11. Sane, R. M., Shahani, S. R., Sane, A. M., & Muppalla, B. (2020). An observational study to assess the drug prescription pattern and quality of life of acne vulgaris patients in a tertiary care center in India. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 9(9), 1364–1370.
  12. Sardana, K., & Khurana, A. (2018). IADVL manual on management of dermatophytosis (1st ed.). CBS Publishers and Distributors.
  13. Sultana, N., Ferdoush, J., Johora, F., Hossain, S. M. T., & Hossain, A. (2022). Antimicrobial prescribing practices at dermatology outpatient departments in tertiary care hospitals: A multi-centered, cross-sectional study [Preprint]. medRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.06.19.22276594
  14. Syder, N. C., Mora Hurtado, A. C., Saizan, A., Gonzalez, M., Rodman, J., & Elbuluk, N. (2025). Prescribing patterns for treatment of acne vulgaris: A retrospective chart review at an urban public and private hospital. Archives of Dermatological Research, 317, 424.
  15. Verma, S., & Madhu, R. (2017). The great Indian epidemic of superficial dermatophytosis: An appraisal. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 62(3), 227–236.
  16. Verma, S. B., Panda, S., Nenoff, P., Singal, A., Rudramurthy, S. M., Uhrlass, S., et al. (2021). The unprecedented epidemic-like scenario of dermatophytosis in India: I. Epidemiology, risk factors and clinical features. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 87(2), 154–175.
  17. Verma, S. B., & Zouboulis, C. (2018). Indian irrational skin creams and steroid-modified dermatophytosis—An unholy nexus and alarming situation. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 32(11), e426–e427.
  18. World Health Organization. (2021). WHO model list of essential medicines, 22nd list (2021). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MHP-HPS-EML-2021.02
Top