Evaluation of the interrelationship between inflammatory markers, rosacea, ocular symptoms, and migraine comorbidity

Rosacea is a chronic dermatological condition frequently associated with ocular symptoms and neurological comorbidities such as migraine. This study aimed to compare inflammatory and hematological markers between rosacea patients and healthy controls, and to assess differences in these markers among rosacea patients based on the presence or absence of ocular symptoms and migraine.

A total of 150 rosacea patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic data and routine hematological parameters were collected for all participants. Neurological evaluations were performed to assess the prevalence of headaches and migraines. Ophthalmological examinations were conducted in the rosacea group to determine ocular involvement.

Compared with healthy controls, rosacea patients had higher white blood cell counts (7.22 ± 1.60 vs 6.83 ± 1.38, p = 0.03) and neutrophil counts (p = 0.02), and lower eosinophil counts (p = 0.036), mean corpuscular volume (p < 0.001), and red cell distribution width-standard deviation (p = 0.015). Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was higher in rosacea patients (p = 0.001). Headaches and migraine were more prevalent in rosacea patients than in controls (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Ocular symptoms were present in 51.3% of patients and were more frequent in females (p = 0.03) and in those with migraine (p = 0.03).

Rosacea was associated with changes in hematological and inflammatory markers, as well as a higher prevalence of migraine and ocular symptoms. These findings support the need for comprehensive evaluation of patients with rosacea.