title: Comparative efficacy of intense pulsed light for different erythema associated with rosacea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) (540-950 nm) in treating different erythema associated with rosacea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) (n = 16) and papulopustular rosacea (PPR, n = 16) were recruited. Three treatments of IPL (540-950 nm) were administered on the face at 3-week intervals. Clinical improvement in erythema was independently assessed by two dermatologists using a quartile grading scale [0, ≤ 25% improvement (poor); 1, 26-50% improvement (fair); 2, 51-75% improvement (good); and 3, 76-100% improvement (excellent)]. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS: 0, lowest; and 10, highest).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty patients were involved in this study. All patients showed improvement in erythema after three sessions of IPL (540-950 nm) treatment. Based on physician's assessment, the overall clinical improvement in PPR group was significantly higher (mean ± SD of PPR group, 2.167 ± 0.748 vs. ETR group, 1.400 ± 0.541; P = 0.003) and patient satisfaction was also higher in PPR group (mean ± SD of PPR group, 6.867 ± 1.457 vs. ETR group, 5.600 ± 1.502; P = 0.026). The proportion of patients showing > 75% clinical improvement among PPR group was also higher than that among ETR group (5/15 and 0/15, respectively; P = 0.021). Side effects were minimal and transient (erythema and/or edema) for patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IPL (540-950 nm) is a safe and effective treatment for rosacea-associated erythema, especially for perilesional erythema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, 306 Hospital of PLA , Beijing , P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Junlian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yingyun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shichao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004890:Erythema / Q000628:therapy*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D062325:Intense Pulsed Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012393:Rosacea / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: erythema; intense pulsed light; rosacea