Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment reduces the severity of rosacea.

BACKGROUND

A higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in rosacea patients than in healthy controls has been reported.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy in patients with rosacea.

METHODS

Twenty-five rosacea patients and 87 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We detected IgG and IgA antibodies against H. pylori in both groups. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and a rapid urease test were performed on the 13 patients with rosacea who accepted this procedure. Amoxicillin 500 mg 3 times daily, metronidazole 500 mg 3 times daily, and bismuth subcitrate 300 mg 4 times daily were administered to patients positive for H. pylori. The severity of rosacea was scored before and after treatment.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference in seropositivity in either group. In H. pylori-positive rosacea patients there was a significant decrease in the severity of rosacea at the end of the treatment as compared with the initial scores.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that H. pylori may be involved in rosacea and that eradication treatment may be beneficial.