Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of red and blue light combined with clarithromycin in treating moderate acne vulgaris and its impact on patients′ anxiety and depression.

Methods A total of 136 patients with moderate acne vulgaris were retrospectively collected and divided into the control group and the observation group according to the treatment methods, with 68 cases in each group.The control group received oral clarithromycin sustained-release tablets and topical fusidic acid cream.The observation group received additional red and blue light irradiation alongside the control regimen.The differences in global acne grading system (GAGS) score, generalized anxiety disorder-7(GAD-7) score and patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9) score before and after treatment, as well as the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions between the two groups were compared.

Results The effective rate of observation group was higher than the control group (P < 0.01).No statistically significant differences in GAGS, GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were observed between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05).Post-treatment GAGS, GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were significantly lower in the observation group versus control group (P < 0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions The combination of red and blue light phototherapy with clarithromycin is a safe and effective treatment for moderate acne vulgaris, demonstrating significant benefits in alleviating patients′ anxiety and depression.