Audio-vestibular abnormalities in patients with rosacea: a prospective case-control study.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Otolaryngology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition linked to neurovascular issues.
• Systemic inflammation in rosacea may affect sensory organs like the inner ear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate hearing (audiologic) and balance (vestibular) functions in rosacea patients.
• To compare these functions between rosacea patients and healthy controls, identifying subclinical alterations.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, age- and sex-matched case-control study.
• Included 53 rosacea patients and 58 healthy controls.
• Utilized pure-tone audiometry and Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT).

Main Results:

• Rosacea patients had significantly higher air-conduction hearing thresholds.
• Reduced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains were observed in specific semicircular canals.
• No significant association found between audiovestibular changes and disease severity or duration.

Conclusions:

• Patients with rosacea may have subtle audiologic and vestibular functional differences.
• Findings suggest cautious interpretation due to study design and effect magnitude.
• Audiovestibular evaluation might be considered for symptomatic rosacea patients, not routine screening.