Global Epidemiology and Clinical Spectrum of Rosacea, Highlighting Skin of Color: Review and Clinical Practice Experience

Publication date: Available online 19 September 2018

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Andrew F. Alexis, Valerie D. Callender, Hilary E. Baldwin, Seemal R. Desai, Marta I. Rendon, Susan C. Taylor

Abstract

Among individuals with skin of color, rosacea has been reported less frequently than in those with white skin, but it is not a rare disease. In fact, rosacea may be underreported and underdiagnosed in populations with skin of color because of the difficulty of discerning erythema and telangiectasia in dark skin, as well as underestimation of the susceptibility of more highly pigmented skin to dermatologic conditions like rosacea whose triggers include sun exposure. Many people with skin of color who have rosacea may experience delayed diagnosis leading to inappropriate or inadequate treatment, greater morbidity, and uncontrolled, progressive disease with disfiguring manifestations, including phymatous rosacea. This paper reviews the epidemiology of rosacea in skin of color and highlights variations in the clinical presentation of rosacea across the diverse spectrum of patient populations affected. It presents strategies to aid in the timely diagnosis and effective treatment of rosacea in patients with skin of color, with an aim of promoting increased awareness of rosacea in these patients and reducing disparities in the management of their disease.