HCD Blog

Rosacea may be a visible warning marker for hidden, potentially serious diseases.

Canadians who have rosacea should be aware of associations between the disease and increased risk for a variety of disorders - many with potentially serious consequences – in order to detect these diseases at the earliest stage, according to Dr. Shannon Humphrey, a Vancouver, B.C. dermatologist and spokesperson for the not for profit Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada.

An analysis⁽¹⁾ published early this year showed the highest associations with rosacea were diseases in 4 categories: cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological and autoimmune. Recent studies have shown those with rosacea have higher risks for:

• Cardiovascular disease – 4 times higher
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - 4 times
• Crohn disease - almost 3 times
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - 2 times
• Celiac disease - 2 times
• Type 2 diabetes - 2.5 times

People with rosacea also have a 10 times higher risk of food allergies, 7.5 times greater risk of urogenital diseases (affecting the urinary tract or reproductive organs) and 4 times elevated risk for respiratory diseases.

“These studies show association but do not demonstrate cause,” says Dr. Humphrey. “For example, rosacea is not caused by these conditions nor do these conditions cause rosacea. These studies show that these disorders tend to co-exist together where if you have one, you have a higher chance of having the other.”

The role of inflammation – the immune system’s response to potential threat or harm - appears to be a common thread. Rosacea, affecting 3 million Canadians, is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by facial redness, pimples and sometimes irritated eyes.

Inflammation is thought to play a role in these cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological and autoimmune diseases.

“Inflammation present in these other conditions is hidden within the body,” Dr. Humphrey added. “However, rosacea appears on the skin making it a visible marker of inflammation that may be helpful as a warning sentinel for these other conditions.”

An important consideration for those with rosacea is that being at risk for these conditions does not mean he or she will go on to develop any of these disorders. “Disease development is different for everyone. Family history, personal history, age, gender, environment, lifestyle and other factors all play a role in disease development,” she added.

“However, simply being aware of the associations of rosacea and elevated risk for these potentially serious conditions can help with early detection, diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Humphrey.

If you are concerned about your condition, speak with your physician or medical Dermatologist about treatment options.

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About the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada:

The society, a national, not for profit organization, offers hope and help to sufferers by providing independent, reputable and current information on rosacea and raising awareness. For more, visit www.RosaceaHelp.ca .

About Rosacea Awareness Month

Rosacea Awareness Month, April 2018, was designated by the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada (www.RosaceaHelp.ca ) to raise awareness about rosacea, a common skin condition affecting more than 3 million Canadians that can cause significant physical and emotional effects.