Effect of treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection on rosacea.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clearing and intensity of symptoms of rosacea 60 days after the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
The dermatology section of a large multispecialty clinic in the North Central United States.


METHODS
Men and women older than 25 years with active signs of rosacea who tested positive for H pylori with both the rapid whole blood test and the urea breath test.


METHODS
Treatment of H pylori infection with 14-day therapy using clarithromycin. 500 mg orally 3 times a day, and omeprazole, 40 mg orally once a day.


METHODS
The extent and intensity of rosacea as measured by the number of papules and pustules and the extent and intensity of erythema and telangiectasia.


RESULTS
Three hundred twenty patients presented with rosacea. For 50 patients, the results of a urea breath test were positive for H pylori, and 44 patients were enrolled in the study. Rosacea abated in almost all patients, but none were cured. Notably, lessening of rosacea for patients treated for H pylori was not significantly better than for the control cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
Rosacea abated in most participants in this study, whether they were in the treatment or the control cohort. There was no statistical difference when the results of active treatment were compared with those of placebo. Treating H pylori infection has no short-term beneficial effect on the symptoms of rosacea to support the suggested causal association between H pylori infection and rosacea.
Bamford
J T
JT
Department of Dermatology, St Mary's-Duluth Clinic Health System, Minn 55805, USA. jbamford@smdc.org
Tilden
R L
RL
Blankush
J L
JL
Gangeness
D E
DE
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012393:Rosacea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole