The great majority of rosacea patients have experienced persistent facial redness, and most of them report it is the most frequently bothersome sign they face, according to a recent NRS survey on rosacea redness sponsored by EPI Health. Furthermore, two-thirds reported experiencing flare-ups more than once a week.
“The results of this survey serve as a strong reminder that persistent facial redness is the defining feature of rosacea, and one that should not be ignored when treating patients,” said Dr. Hilary Baldwin, associate professor of dermatology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
In the survey of 986 people with rosacea, 77% of respondents said they experienced persistent redness, while 61% reported having bumps and pimples, and 53% had visible blood vessels on their face. Forty-six percent said they experienced burning, stinging and itching; 43% had red, irritated or watery eyes indicative of ocular rosacea; and 27% reported having a red, swollen nose or rough and thickened skin, referred to as phymatous changes.
About 60% of respondents said persistent redness was the most frequently bothersome sign they experienced, compared to 38% who said bumps and pimples bothered them frequently. About 30% of respondents said they suffered from flare-ups of their facial redness daily, and a further 34% experienced facial redness flares several times a week.
Asked how the redness of rosacea affected them, 59% of respondents said it made them feel self-conscious and that people were looking at their face, and 57% said they were frustrated or annoyed with their appearance. Forty percent said they stayed out of the sun or limited outdoor activities, and 38% said they thought the redness made them look unhealthy. Only 4% of respondents said their rosacea redness didn’t affect them.
Most survey respondents (80%) said they have discussed treatments for redness with their healthcare provider. Eighty percent discussed a topical prescription medication, 40% discussed an oral prescription medication, and 24% had discussed treatment with a laser or light device. About two-thirds (62%) of those who were prescribed a topical medication used it daily or as directed by their healthcare provider, while 11% used it occasionally, 13% applied it only during a flare-up, and 12% had stopped using it. In comparison, 40% of those who were prescribed an oral medication used it daily or as directed, 8% took it occasionally, 12% used it only when flaring up, and 17% had stopped.
Among those who stopped using a topical or oral prescription therapy, 24% said it was because the treatment stopped working. Seven percent said it wasn’t convenient, 13% said it was due to unpleasant side effects, 8% said the medication was too expensive, and 5% ran out and didn’t refill their prescription.
“As dermatologists, we want patients to be healthy and happy in their skin,” Dr. Baldwin said. “With today’s increasingly sophisticated tools, it is now possible to tailor therapy to address each patient’s individual signs and symptoms, and substantially improve the quality of their lives. If a therapy is not doing its job, rather than quitting treatment altogether, patients should consult with their doctor to find a different approach.”