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Individuals with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) and papulopustular rosacea (PPR) report a considerable negative impact of the disease on their quality of life (QoL), according to the findings from a web-based, cross-sectional survey conducted in a large cohort of patients and published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
The investigators sought to assess the effect of rosacea on self-perception, emotional, social, and overall well-being and QoL in patients with ETR and PPR. Adults who reported having received a prior diagnosis of ETR or PPR were included in the study.
Questionnaires were used to evaluate the psychosocial aspects of rosacea, including the Satisfaction With Appearance Scale, the Impact Assessment for Rosacea Facial Redness, the Rosacea-Specific Quality-of-Life questionnaire, and the RAND 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey. The Impact Assessment for Rosacea Facial Bumps or Pimples was given to the PPR cohort only.
A total of 600 participants enrolled and completed the survey, with the majority (ETR: 95.6%; PPR: 93.7%) rating their rosacea as being mild or moderate. In the ETR and PPR groups, 45% and 53% of participants, respectively, disagreed/strongly disagreed that they were satisfied with their appearance due to rosacea.
Moreover, 42% and 27% of patients in the ETR and PPR cohorts, respectively, agreed/strongly agreed that they “worry how people will react when they see my rosacea”; 43% and 59%, respectively, agreed/strongly agreed that they felt their rosacea was unattractive to others.
In both the ETR and PPR groups, Rosacea-Specific Quality-of-Life total and domain scores showed a negative impact associated with rosacea. In addition, both the ETR and PPR cohorts reported worse SF-36 Health Survey scores compared with US population norms.
The investigators concluded that the results of this study demonstrate the wide-ranging, negative impact of rosacea on self-perception: and emotional, social, overall well-being; rosacea-specific QoL. Effective treatments that address the underlying etiology of the disease and its troublesome symptoms — along with appropriate education — are necessary in order to achieve optimal aesthetic and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with rosacea.
Reference
Zeichner JA, Eichenfield LF, Feldman SR, Kasteler JS, Ferrusi IL. Quality of life in individuals with erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea: findings from a web-based survey. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(2):47-52.
