Abstract

Objective: We sought to examine the association between rosacea and systemic comorbidities in patients attending the dermatology clinic at King Fahd Hospital of the University in Al-Khobar during a 14-month period (February 2016 to May 2017).

Methods: This was a prospective single-center case-control study conducted in the dermatology department of King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU) during a 14-month period. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to rosacea patients and controls. The questionnaires examined demographic data, current comorbidities, family histories, and lifestyles. Study limitations were report and recall biases, which are major limitations of self-reported questionnaires.

Results: A total of 76 patients (38 cases and 38 controls) of Arabic origin were recruited in the study. The mean age was 33.2 years for the cases and 27.4 years for the controls. Positive p values were seen in family histories of rosacea, photosensitivity, and food allergies. Hypertension, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, genitourinary, and dermatological diseases and dyslipidemia were reported as associated comorbidities in rosacea patients.

Limitations: This was a case-control study with moderate sample size and associated medical conditions were self-reported confirmed either by medications use or medical records.

Conclusion: Rosacea is associated with numerous systemic comorbid diseases in our patients attending the dermatology clinic at King Fahd Hospital of the University. 

Keywords: Rosacea; Comorbidities; Inflammation; Papulopustule; Photosensitivity

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