Evaluation of Effect of Therapy with Intensive Pulsed Light on Psychoemotional State of Patients with Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Rosacea, or acne rosacea, is a polyetiological disease that affects the facial area, less commonly the neck and the area of decollete. The disease has diverse clinical manifestations. Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is characterized by persistent erythema, telangiectasia of different diameters, edema of skin. Patients subjectively feel burning, heat and itching. These symptoms often lead to changes in the psychoemotional state of patients, depression, apathy. АIM: To evaluate the effect of intensive pulsed light therapy on the severity of psychoemotional problems in patients with erythematotelangiectatic type of rosacea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients were followed up. The patients were divided into 2 groups. In the first group, local therapy with azelaic acid gel was used; in the second group, a combined therapy was conducted with azelaic acid gel and intensive pulsed light on M-22 apparatus (Lumenis Ltd., Israel). Before and after a course of treatment patients were surveyed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire. RESULTS: After a course of the combined treatment, the second group showed an improvement of skin condition and a considerable reduction of the anxiety level in comparison with the first group where monotherapy with azelaic acid was conducted. CONCLUSION: Therapy with intense pulsed light reduces the number of telangiectasias and brightness of erythema, which alleviates the severity of psychological problems in patients with rosacea.