Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background. Rosacea is a chronic dermatosis primarily affecting the skin of the face, significantly negatively impacting patients’ quality of life. Purpose. To assess the baseline levels of anxiety and depression in patients with erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular subtypes of rosacea, as well as their combination, and to compare the effects of combined therapy on the psycho emotional state of patients. Materials and Methods. An open prospective randomized study was conducted, including 30 patients diagnosed with erythematotelangiectatic (ETR) and papulopustular (PPR) subtypes of mild and moderate severity, as well as their combination. Depending on the choice of treatment method combinations, the patients were divided into two groups. In group No1: 15 patients received systemic therapy with minocycline and topical therapy with pimecrolimus cream. In group No2: 15 patients received additionally the drug alimemazine. The psycho emotional status was assessed using a questionnaire on autonomic disorders, a stress situation questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The dermatological status was also evaluated before and after the treatment using the Diagnostic Symptom Scale Index and the Rosacea Diagnostic Assessment Scale according to V.P. Adaskiewicz, and dermatoscopy. Results. Analysis of the questionnaire results showed high levels of stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. All patients exhibited symptoms of anxiety and depression according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). After completing the traditional treatment, a slight reduction in the mean values on the HADS scale was noted: the anxiety level decreased by 7%, and the depression level decreased by 14.6%. This indicates that the existing psycho emotional disorders did not undergo significant changes after traditional therapy. In the context of pharmacotherapy using alimemazine, there was a pronounced decrease in the mean values of the following criteria: the anxiety level decreased by 64.8%, and the depression level decreased by 65.7%. After the traditional treatment, an improvement in dermatological status was observed, confirmed by the results of the Diagnostic Symptom Scale Index (a decrease by 49%) and the Rosacea Diagnostic Assessment Scale (a decrease by 50%). Following the administration of alimemazine, more significant changes were observed: the Diagnostic Symptom Scale Index values decreased by 71.2%, and the Rosacea Diagnostic Assessment Scale by 69.9%, indicating a substantial regression of the most pronounced clinical symptoms of the dermatosis as a result of combined treatment. In both studied groups, an increase in the homogeneity of the microcirculatory bed was recorded after 4 weeks of therapy. However, in group No2 receiving alimemazine, the results persisted until the 12th week, while group No1 showed a decrease in microcirculatory homogeneity by the 12th week. The obtained data indicate a high clinical efficacy of the comprehensive approach to the treatment of rosacea. Conclusion. Comprehensive assessment of autonomic and psycho emotional statuses included in the examination algorithm for patients with rosacea will successfully complement traditional therapy methods.
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4405582065