Assessment of thyroid disorders in patients with rosacea: a large case-control study

Abstract Background: The frequency of autoimmune diseases and thyroid cancer has been increasingly reported in association with rosacea. However, studies investigating thyroid diseases in rosacea are scarce with conflicting results. Objective: To investigate the relationship between thyroid disorders and rosacea. Methods: A large case-control study on ageand gender-matched 2091 rosacea patients and 9572 controls was conducted. Rosacea patients using the rosacea-specific ICD codes were compiled from the hospital records. Additionally, all participants were evaluated in terms of the presence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to compute case-control odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: The analysis comprehended 2091 rosacea patients (1546 female, 545 male; mean 48.73 ± 14.53 years) and 9572 controls (7009 female, 2563 male; mean 48.73 ± 15.1 years). Whereas the rate of hypothyroidism was significantly higher in rosacea patients (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.13-1.49, p < 0.001), there was no significant difference in the rate of hyperthyroidism between the groups (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.81-1.53, p = 0.497). Stratification for gender revealed a significant association between hypothyroidism and rosacea in females (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.1-1.47, p = 0.002) and males (OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.04-2.4, p = 0.032). The frequency of hypothyroidism in rosacea patients increased towards the age range of 40-49 and then decreased, parallel with the hypothyroidism frequency of the study population. Study limitations: Different subtypes and severities of rosacea were not distinguished. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism may be a comorbidity of rosacea and investigation for hypothyroidism may be appropriate when evaluating rosacea patients.

Rosacea associated with increased risk of generalized anxiety disorder: a case-control study of prevalence and risk of anxiety in patients with rosacea

Abstract Background: Rosacea may result in emotional distress and anxiety. However, data on the presence of generalized anxiety disorder in rosacea patients are scarce. Objective: The aim of the study was to detect the frequency and level of anxiety and depression in patients with rosacea. Methods: A total of 194 consecutive rosacea patients and 194 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Severity of rosacea was assessed in patients according to the criteria of the National Rosacea Society Ethics Committee. Both patients and controls were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, and severity was measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-Adult. Results: Individuals who were diagnosed with an anxiety and/or depressive disorder were more common in patient group (24.7% vs. 7.2%, p < 0,01). Female patients were particularly at risk for having generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.15-7.37; p = 0.02). Study limitations: Single center study and limited sample size. Conclusions: Rosacea patients show greater risk of having anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder. Female patients, those with lower educational levels, those with phymatous subtype, untreated patients, and patients with prior psychiatric morbidity may be at particular risk for anxiety. It is essential to consider the psychological characteristics of patients to improve their well-being.

Frecuencia, características epidemiológicas y clínicas de la rosácea ocular / Frequency, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of ocular rosacea

Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia, características epidemiológicas y clínicas de la rosácea ocular (RO) en el servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, en el período 2005-2012. Material y métodos. estudio transversal. Se revisó 112 historias clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de RO y se obtuvo datos demográficos, sintomatología ocular, signos oculares a la evaluación por el especialista, agudeza visual (AV), resultados de exámenes auxiliares, resultado de evaluación dermatológica, antecedentes y tratamiento indicado para la patología ocular. Resultados. La frecuencia de RO fue de 5,3 diagnosticados por cada 1 000 pacientes atendidos, el sexo femenino fue el más comprometido (83%). El promedio de edad fue 43,98 años (rango: 12-84 años). Sesenta pacientes fueron sintomáticos, presentaron con mayor frecuencia sequedad/prurito (39%) y disminución de agudeza visual (34%). Los signos más frecuentes fueron blefaritis (83%), chalación (24%), congestión conjuntival (67%), queratitis (87%) y úlcera corneal (15%). En total, 84 casos (75%) presentaron signos conjuntivales, 83 pacientes (74%) presentaron algún signo palpebral y 40 (35,7%) presentaron lesiones corneales. Conclusión. La frecuencia de diagnóstico de RO fue baja. El compromiso ocular fue frecuente en la rosácea cutánea, sin embargo, no hubo asociación entre la gravedad de los compromisos dérmico y ocular.

objective: To describe the frequency, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of ocular roseacea (OR) in the service of Ophthalmology Archbishop Loayza National Hospital in the period 2005-2012. Material and methods. Cross-sectional study. One hundred ad twelve patients records were reviewed diagnosed with OR and demographic data, ocular symptoms, ocular evaluation by the specialist signs, visual acuity (VA), results of laboratory findings resulting from dermatological evaluation, history and treatment was obtained suitable for ocular pathology. Results. OR frequency was 5.3 diagnsed per 1 000 patients treated, female gender was the most affected (83%). The average age was 43,98 years (range: 12-84 years). Sixty patients were symptomatic, most often present dryness/ itchning (39%) and decreased visual acuity (34%). The most common signs were blepharitis (83%), chalazion (24%), conjunctival injection (67%), keratitis (87%) and corneal (15%) ulcer. In total, 84 cases (75%) had conjuctival fidings, 83 patients (74%) showed some sign palpebral and 40 (35,7%) had corneal lesions. conclusion. The OR diagnostic frequency was low. Ocular involvement was frequent in cutaneous rosacea, however, no association between the severity of ocular and dermal commitments.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori and rosacea: it may be a myth

Although it is debatable whether Helicobacter pylori may play a role in the pathogenesis of rosacea, some authors suggested that the treatment of H. pylori might have a beneficial effect. The aim of this investigation was to compare the prevalence of H. pylori between rosacea patients and controls, and to evaluate an effect of H. pylori eradication on rosecea by a 2-week triple therapy that was composed of amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole. H. pylori was detected by using gastroscopic biopsy with Warthin-Starry stain. Forty-two (84%) of 50 patients with rosacea and 39 (78%) of 50 controls had H. pylori, showing no significant difference in prevalence. The cure rates of H. pylori in rosacea patients and controls were 80% (16/20) and 85% (17/20), respectively. There was no significant decrease in the intensity of erythema in active treatment and placebo groups both during and after the treatment. Temporary improvement in papulopustules exclusively during the treatment (within 2 weeks) could be independent of H. pylori eradication. Overall, no significant reduction in the number of papulopustules was observed in active treatment and placebo groups after the treatment (in 2 months). Taken together, our study found no significant lessening of rosacea lesions by treating H. pylori infection, which conclusively does not concur with a view that H. pylori may be related to rosacea.

Rosácea ocular / Ocular rosacea

La rosácea es un síndrome de etiología desconocida que involucra la piel y los ojos. La rosácea cutánea se caracteriza por episodios recurrentes de eritema, pápulas, pústulas, telangiectasias y rinofima. Sin embargo, el componente ocular no es reconocido fácilmente y con mucha frecuencia es mal diagnósticado, lo que trae consigo secuelas potencialmente serias. Los signos ouclares incluyen blefaritis, conjutivitis, epiescleritis, escleritis y queratitis. Presentamos la revisión de las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, histopatológicas y del tratamiento de esta común enfermedad