Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy of ALA-PDT in the Treatment of Cystic Acne

We collected and analyzed data from patients with cystic acne who underwent ALA-PDT. A total of 85 patients participated, including 69 males and 16 females. The average age was 19.8±1.03 years for males and 23.56±2.67 years for females, showing a significant age difference (P=0.0096). Male patients had an average history lasting 35.46±5.8 months, while female patients averaged 48.69±18.17 months; no significant gender difference was found (P=0.4810). Males received an average of 3.507±0.173 treatments compared to females' average of 3.188±0 .215 treatments, indicating a statistically significant difference (P=0.0161). Collectively, before treatment initiation, the overall GAGS score averaged at46.72 ±2 73 which significantly dropped post-treatment to19.99 ±2.07 (P < 0.001). In conclusion, ALA-PDT is effective in treating cystic acne, suggesting that female patients may require less frequent interventions than male patients.