Incidental control of rosacea by somatostatin.

BACKGROUND

The precise pathomechanism of rosacea remains elusive. The disease commonly requires long-term treatments using topical or oral therapies.

OBJECTIVE

This report presents incidental findings about the possible modulatory role of somatostatin in the outcome of rosacea.

METHOD: Four patients presenting long-standing recalcitrant facial rosacea were treated with octreotide for diabetic retinopathy.

RESULTS

Rosacea improved rapidly and even cleared without any recurrence in 3 of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial effect might be attributed to inhibitory actions on the sebaceous gland, the neovascularization and/or on the inflammatory process.