In terms of gastrointestinal comorbidities, the studies reviewed found an association between rosacea and several GI disorders, including celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, and Helicobacter pylori infection, they wrote. Although the current data do not imply causality, clinicians should screen rosacea patients for GI disorders, they noted.
The link between rosacea and migraine may stem from the similar vascular abnormalities and triggers common to both conditions, such as stress and alcohol, the researchers added.
The review does not establish causality between rosacea and any of the comorbidities examined in part because of the inclusion of observational studies, the researchers noted. “It is also possible that the observed association with rosacea is explained by shared environmental or lifestyle factors rather than by a common genetic disposition or pathophysiologic pathways,” they said. Controlled and prospective studies are needed to better identify associations, but general physicians and dermatologists who recognize the potential risk of comorbidities in rosacea patients may be better able to manage and treat them, they added.
The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose. There was no funding source for the study.
SOURCE: Haber R et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 April;78(4):786-92.