Epidemiological profile of rosacea in dermatology outpatient clinics in Brazil: an observational report from the Brazilian study group on rosacea

BACKGROUND

Rosacea prevalence varies worldwide and there is a lack of information in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiological profile of rosacea in subjects who consulted in dermatological outpatient clinics in Brazil.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 dermatological outpatient clinics across the country. Patients with rosacea diagnosis were eligible for the study according to the investigator's clinical assessment. Clinical, social and demographic data were collected. The overall and regional rosacea prevalence was calculated, and association with baseline characteristics was analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 3,184 subjects were enrolled, and rosacea prevalence was 12.7%. The southern region of Brazil presented a higher prevalence, followed by the southeast. The subjects in the rosacea group were older than those without rosacea (52.5 ±14.9 vs. 47.5 ±17.5; p<0.001). Moreover, the rosacea group was associated with Fitzpatrick's phototypes I and II, Caucasian ethnicity, a family history of rosacea, and facial erythema, however, no association with gender was found. The most prevalent clinical sign and clinical subtype in rosacea patients were erythema and erythematotelangiectatic, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Rosacea is highly prevalent in Brazil, mostly in the southern region, associated with phototypes I and II and a family history.

Primary results of clinical trial for uniform multidrug therapy for leprosy patients in Brazil (U-MDT/CT-BR): reactions frequency in multibacillary patients

SETTINGS

Many believe that the regular treatment for multibacillary (MB) leprosy cases could be shortened. A shorter treatment, allowing for uniform treatment for all cases, makes case classification superfluous and therefore simplifies leprosy control.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of the treatment duration with the frequency of reactions among MB patients.

METHODS

An open-label randomised clinical trial to compare the present routine treatment with one lasting six months. Patients were recruited between March 2007 and February 2012. We analysed the frequency of first reaction with the Kaplan-Meier method and of recurrent reaction with a Poisson regression, using the treatment group and baciloscopic index level (BI) as independent variables. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the statistical association of different reaction types and the treatment group.

RESULTS

Among those with BI < 3, we found a statistical significant difference of reaction frequencies between the treatment groups from 6 to 18 months since the beginning of treatment. This difference disappears at 2 years after the start of treatment. Multiple reactions were associated with the treatment group and with BI > or = 3. No specific types of reactions were associated with treatment duration.

CONCLUSION

Although this is the first report of U-MDT/CT-BR, the results presented here support the possibility of use of UMDT in the field.