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. 2016 Nov-Dec;32(6):1344-1348.
doi: 10.12669/pjms.326.11236.

Clinical characteristics and epidermal barrier function of papulopustular rosacea: A comparison study with acne vulgaris

Maosong Zhou  1 , Hongfu Xie  2 , Lin Cheng  3 , Ji Li  4
Affiliations

Clinical characteristics and epidermal barrier function of papulopustular rosacea: A comparison study with acne vulgaris

Maosong Zhou et al. Pak J Med Sci. 2016 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and epidermal barrier function of papulopustular rosacea by comparing with acne vulgaris.

Methods: Four hundred and sixty-three papulopustular rosacea patients and four hundred and twelve acne vulgaris patients were selected for the study in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 2015 to May 2016. They were analyzed for major facial lesions, self-conscious symptoms and epidermal barrier function.

Results: Erythema, burning, dryness and itching presented in papulopustular rosacea patients were significantly higher than that in acne vulgaris patients (P<0.001). The clinical scores of erythema, burning, dryness and itching in papulopustular rosacea patients were significantly higher than those in acne vulgaris patients (P<0.001). The water content of the stratum cornuem and skin surface lipid level were both significantly lower in papulopustular rosacea patients than that of the acne vulgaris patients (P<0.001) and healthy subjects (P<0.001); Water content of the stratum cornuem and skin surface lipid level were higher in acne vulgaris patients in comparison with that of healthy subjects (P>0.05, P<0.001; respectively). Transepidermal water loss was significantly higher in papulopustular rosacea patients than that of acne vulgaris patients and healthy subjects (P<0.001); transepidermal water loss was lower in skin of acne vulgaris patients than that of healthy subjects (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Erythema, burning, dryness and itching are the characteristics of papulopustular rosacea, which makes it different from acne vulgaris. The epidermal barrier function was damaged in papulopustular rosacea patients while not impaired in that of acne vulgaris patients.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Epidermal barrier function; Papulopustular rosacea; Transepidermal water loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interest: All authors declared there was no conflict interests involved.

Figures

Fig.1
Fig.1
Papulopustular rosacea, tipical lesions such as erythema, papules and pustules on the face.
Fig.2
Fig.2
Acne vulgaris, tpical lesions such as comedo, papules and pustules on the face.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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