01 May Slight Increase Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in Patients With Rosacea

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Alexander Egeberg

Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD
National Allergy Research Centre, Departments of Dermato-Allergology and Cardiology
Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital
University of Copenhagen
Hellerup, Denmark 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Egeberg: Certain proteins and inflammatory processes have been found in increased levels in the skin of patients with rosacea, and these have also been linked to dementia, in particular Alzheimer’s disease. While this may be one potential explanation, we cannot say for sure that this is the cause. Our team have recently shown a link between rosacea and other neurological diseases, and single-case reports have previously described a possible association between rosacea and Alzheimers disease.

However, this is the first comprehensive investigation of Alzheimer’s disease in a large population of patients with rosacea. We found a slightly increased risk of dementia, in particular Alzheimer’s disease in patients with rosacea.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Egeberg: It is important for clinicians and patients to remember that having rosacea does not guarantee that they will develop Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, while the risk in rosacea patients may be slightly increased compared with the general population, the absolute risk is still quite low. In our study we looked at retrospectively collected data, and while we show an association, this does not necessarily mean that a causal link exists. 

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Egeberg:  We encourage other research teams with sufficiently large datasets to try and replicate our findings in different populations. In addition, if future associations are found between rosacea and other diseases dependent on the same pathogenic mechanisms, this may help elucidate the underlying pathogenic cause.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Egeberg, A., Hansen, P. R., Gislason, G. H. and Thyssen, J. P. (2016), Patients with rosacea have increased risk of dementia. Ann Neurol.. doi: 10.1002/ana.24645Upcoming 

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on May 1, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD