Evaluation of epicardial fat thickness and the ankle‐brachial index in patients with rosacea: A case‐control study

Abstract

Background Recent data suggest that rosacea is related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) due to its inflammatory nature and immune dysregulation. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the values of epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and the ankle‐brachial index (ABI) in patients with rosacea, as indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis and CVD risk. Methods This prospective case‐control study was carried out on 62 participants, including 31 rosacea patients and 31 controls. The values of EFT and ABI were measured in all subjects. Results The mean thickness of EFT was statistically higher in rosacea patients (0.54 ± 0.12 mm) than in the controls (0.39 ± 0.05 mm) (P < 0.01). ABI was not significantly different between the subjects with rosacea and the comparison group (1.02 ± 0.1 vs 0.98 ± 0.07; P = 0.131). A total of 29% of the rosacea patients had mitral valve insufficiency (MVI), while 3.2% of the control group had MVI (P = 0.006). A mild degree of tricuspid valve insufficiency (TVI) was present in 45.2% of the rosacea patients, while 19.4% of the controls had TVI (P = 0.03). Conclusion Rosacea may be associated with subclinical cardiac dysfunction. EFT measurements in rosacea patients can provide early detection of possible subclinical cardiovascular diseases, which can be life‐extending in rosacea. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm the present findings.

Evaluation of atherosclerotic risk in rosacea patients through serum fetuin‐A and carotid intima media thickness

“…The authors suggested that subclinical cardiovascular risk might be increased in rosacea, recommending that rosacea patients should be monitored in this regard. 30 In another recent study comparing 44 patients with rosacea and 44 controls, the findings revealed that serum IL-1β (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), TNF-α (p < 0.001), and hs-CRP (p < 0.001) levels were notably elevated in patients with rosacea. However, the mean CIMT values did not display a significant difference between groups.…”

“…In a case–control study that assessed subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk using EFT and ankle‐brachial index (ABI), it was found that the mean EFT was greater in patients with rosacea ( p < 0.001). The authors suggested that subclinical cardiovascular risk might be increased in rosacea, recommending that rosacea patients should be monitored in this regard 30 . In another recent study comparing 44 patients with rosacea and 44 controls, the findings revealed that serum IL‐1β ( p < 0.001), IL‐6 ( p < 0.001), TNF‐α ( p < 0.001), and hs‐CRP ( p < 0.001) levels were notably elevated in patients with rosacea.…”