Carotid intima-media thickness and serum proinflammatory cytokine levels in rosacea patients without cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence linking rosacea to various systemic disorders, even though data regarding the association between rosacea and cardiovascular diseases are presently controversial. We sought to investigate the potential association of rosacea with subclinical atherosclerosis and serum proinflammatory/proatherogenic markers. This study included 44 patients with rosacea and 44 age-matched and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors or a history of cardiovascular events were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were assessed. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaques were measured by carotid ultrasonography. Serum IL-1 beta (P < .001), IL-6 (P < .001), TNF-alpha (P < .001), and hs-CRP (P < .001) levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared with the control group. Mean CIMT values did not differ significantly between the patient group and control group (P > .05). Patients with moderate to severe rosacea had a significantly greater CIMT than those with mild rosacea (P = .047). Rosacea patients with eye involvement had a significantly greater CIMT than those without eye involvement (P = .008). There was no significant correlation between CIMT values and inflammation parameters. As conclusion, in the absence of other traditional cardiovascular risk factors, rosacea does not seem to affect mean CIMT value. However, specific subgroups such as patients with moderate to severe disease or with eye involvement are associated with increased subclinical atherosclerosis and may require additional attention for cardiovascular disease prevention.