Evaluation of serum uric acid levels in patients with rosacea

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease with a chronic course. Although the pathogenesis of rosacea is not completely understood, it is regarded as an inflammatory process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate uric acid (UA) levels in patients with rosacea and to detect the correlation of UA levels with disease activity. A total of 61 patients with rosacea and 64 sex- and age-matched controls were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, medical history, and dermatological examination of the patient and control groups were recorded. Concentrations of serum UA and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated and compared in both groups. This study included 61 patients with rosacea (39 females, 22 males, median age = 30 years) and 64 age- and sex-matched controls. Metabolic syndrome was significantly more common in patients with rosacea than in the control group. Patients with rosacea had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) values compared with those of controls. Serum UA and CRP values were significantly higher in the rosacea group than values in the control group. There was no statistically significant correlation between serum UA level and clinical rosacea severity. This study suggests that rosacea is not only a skin-related disease but also an inflammatory disease that can be related to higher uric acid levels, BMI values, and metabolic syndrome. It may be recommended that clinicians pay careful attention to the clinical follow-up of these patients to avoid missed associated comorbidities.