Use of topical tretinoin and the development of noncutaneous adverse events: evidence from a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Topical retinoids have been in clinical use for the treatment of chronic skin conditions, including acne, photodamage, and psoriasis, for 30 years.

Objective: A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the incidence of noncutaneous adverse events (AE) among patients treated with topical retinoids with a focus on topical tretinoin studies reported before the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention trial.

Methods: Electronic literature searches were conducted in Embase and MEDLINE for literature reporting development of nonteratogenic, noncutaneous AE among patients treated with topical retinoids published through September 2008.

Rates of progression in diabetic retinopathy during different time periods: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis reviews rates of progression of diabetic retinopathy to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and/or severe visual loss (SVL) and temporal trends.

Research Design And Methods: This systematic literature review and meta-analysis of prospective studies assesses progression of retinopathy among diabetic patients without treatment for retinopathy at baseline. Studies published between 1975 to February 2008 were identified.