A Clinical Study of 66 Patients with Steroid-Induced Rosacea

Shim, Woo Haing; Mun, Je Ho; Jwa, Seung Wook; Song, Margaret; Kim, Hoon Soo; Ko, Hyun Chang; Kim, Byung Soo; Kim, Moon Bum

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Topical corticosteroids are not uncommonly abused in patients with facial dermatoses. Although it is well known that uncontrolled use of topical corticosteroids cause steroid-induced rosacea, its clinical manifestation is not studied yet in Korean patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this epidemiological study was to investigate a usage history of topical corticosteroid and clinical manifestation of steroid-induced rosacea.
METHODS
Among the 424 rosacea patients who visited the dermatologic clinics of Pusan National University Hospital between January 2006 and May 2011, a face-to-face structured questionnaire was given to 66 rosacea patients with a history of topical corticosteroid use on the face for more than 1 month before onset of rosacea symptoms. Investigated factors include sex, age, history about use of topical corticosteroids and clinical manifestations.
RESULTS
Of the 66 patients, 41 were female and 25 were male with the mean age of 52.1+/-14.6 (range 16~76) year. Celestone-G(R) (n=14) was the most commonly used product in the 34 patients who remembered the brand name of topical corticosteroids, which they had used. Forty-three patients used topical corticosteroids for treatment of facial skin lesions without diagnosis. Eighteen patients purchased topical corticosteroids without doctor's prescription. The mean duration and frequency of topical corticosteroid use was 3.8 years and 1.3 times per day, respectively. Constant erythema (n=31) was the most common symptom and it started to occur 2 months after use of topical corticosteroid.
CONCLUSION
High-potency topical corticosteroids are frequently used for patients with facial dermatoses without correct diagnosis and without doctor's prescription. Besides, abuse of topical corticosteroids cause rosacea symptoms, such as constant erythema. To prevent the occurrence of steroid-induced rosacea, there should be a great social concern for abuse and misuse of topical corticosteroid in patients with facial dermatosis.