Ann Dermatol.  2014 Aug;26(4):491-495. 10.5021/ad.2014.26.4.491.

The Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light for Treating Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea Is Related to Severity and Age

• Lim HS
• Lee SC
• Won YH
• Lee JB

• KMID: 2265591
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2014.26.4.491

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Rosacea is a chronic cutaneous disease. Therapeutic modalities should be chosen based on the identified sub-types and clinical features in each patient. Vascular lasers, including intense pulsed light (IPL), are reportedly safe and effective in treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR).
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we assess the comparative efficacy of IPL related to several factors including clinical severity and the age of patients with ETR.
METHODS
Patients with ETR were classified into two groups according to the National Rosacea Society Severity Guideline. Severity score and erythema index (EI) were measured using a clinical scorecard and mexameter. For additional evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, investigator and patient global assessments (IGA, PGA) were checked. Efficacy of IPL was analyzed according to severity score, EI, IGA, and PGA related to sex, age, lactic acid stinging test, and severity.
RESULTS
Analyses of the efficacy of IPL according to severity score, EI, IGA, and PGA based on sex, age, lactic acid stinging test, and severity revealed significant differences with age and severity only.
CONCLUSION
This study supports the efficacy of IPL treatment for patients with ETR. IPL may be more effective in patients with more severe ETR and in younger patients with ETR.

Keyword

Age factors; Intense pulsed light therapy; Rosacea

MeSH Terms

Age Factors
Bites and Stings
Erythema
Humans
Immunoglobulin A
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Lactic Acid
Research Personnel
Rosacea*
Immunoglobulin A
Lactic Acid

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Clinical photographic images of mild and moderate/severe groups. Mild group: (A) pre-treatment severity score 5, EI 1,021.92; (B) post-treatment severity score 5, EI 1,020.08, IGA1, PGA 2. Moderate/severe group: (C) pre-treatment severity score 25, EI 1,076.86; (D) post-treatment severity score 5, EI 988.86, IGA 4, PGA 4. EI: erythema index, IGA: investigator global assessment, PGA: patient global assessment.

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