A follow-up of tetracycline-treated rosacea. With special reference to rosacea keratitis.
Seventy patients with rosacea were treated with systemic tetracycline for 6 months. Sixty-eight of them cleared with treatment. After withdrawal of the drug seventeen relapsed immediately and the overall relapse rate over 4 years was 69%. The serum tetracycline levels were not significantly different in two patients who failed to respond. Six patients had rosacea keratitis and responded dramatically within 1 month. Symptoms recurred as the drug was withdrawn. It is suggested that rosacea patients with keratitis should receive early and prolonged tetracycline medication.
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012393:Rosacea / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013752:Tetracycline