Incidental control of rosacea by somatostatin.
BACKGROUND
The precise pathomechanism of rosacea remains elusive. The disease commonly requires long-term treatments using topical or oral therapies.


OBJECTIVE
This report presents incidental findings about the possible modulatory role of somatostatin in the outcome of rosacea.


METHODS
Four patients presenting long-standing recalcitrant facial rosacea were treated with octreotide for diabetic retinopathy.


RESULTS
Rosacea improved rapidly and even cleared without any recurrence in 3 of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The beneficial effect might be attributed to inhibitory actions on the sebaceous gland, the neovascularization and/or on the inflammatory process.
Piérard-Franchimont
Claudine
C
Department of Dermatopathology, University Medical Center of Liège, Belgium.
Quatresooz
Pascale
P
Piérard
Gérald E
GE
D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012393:Rosacea / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006728:Hormones; D015282:Octreotide