High blood pressure may occur more frequently in rosacea patients, according to a recent study by Dr. Aditya Gupta, associate professor, Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

In the large-scale survey of 1,950 patients who visited a dermatology office, rosacea was the most common disorder, found in 22 percent of the patients. This was followed by acne (acne vulgaris), diagnosed in 16 percent of the patients, and actinic keratosis, diagnosed in 15 percent.  Patients referred for the treatment of rosacea, acne, sun damage (actinic keratosis) and seborrheic dermatitis were excluded from the study.

Approximately 21 percent of the 427 patients with rosacea also had high blood pressure, the study found, compared with only 12 percent of the patients without rosacea. Dr. Gupta noted that trigger factors mentioned by rosacea patients -- such as sun, stress, alcohol, heat, humidity and exercise -- also supported the theory of a potential vascular cause of rosacea.

The study found that the signs and symptoms were mild in 74 percent of the rosacea patients, and only 29 percent of these patients recognized their symptoms to be those of rosacea.

"This indicates a need to educate the public about rosacea," Dr. Gupta said. He noted that the patients with rosacea tended to be over 40 years of age, though women were typically diagnosed at a younger age than men.