Ocular Comorbidities in Rosacea: A Case-Control Study Based on Seven Institutions

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Dermatology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Rosacea is a common facial inflammatory skin condition.
• It is known to be associated with ocular surface changes like blepharitis and conjunctivitis.
• Limited research exists on the broader spectrum of ocular comorbidities in rosacea patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of various ocular comorbidities in Korean rosacea patients.
• To establish a comprehensive dataset of ocular conditions associated with rosacea.
• To identify specific ocular conditions significantly linked to rosacea in this population.

Main Methods:

• A multi-institutional, 12-year case-control study.
• Involved 12,936 rosacea patients and an equal number of matched controls.
• Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations.

Main Results:

• Significant associations found between rosacea and blepharitis (aOR 3.44), conjunctivitis (aOR 1.65), glaucoma (aOR 1.93), dry eye syndrome (aOR 1.89), and chalazion (aOR 3.26).
• Higher odds for chalazion were observed in females and individuals under 50.
• These ocular comorbidities were more prevalent in Korean rosacea patients.

Conclusions:

• Rosacea is associated with a higher prevalence of several ocular comorbidities, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and chalazion, in the Korean population.
• Ophthalmological screening is crucial for rosacea patients to detect these conditions early.
• Collaborative care between dermatologists and ophthalmologists is advised for managing rosacea patients with ocular issues.