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Dementia risk may be higher for people with rosacea

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
The risk of dementia may be higher for rosacea patients, according to new research. Image: Barcin via iStock
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New research has suggested that the risk of dementia may be significantly higher for people who suffer with the skin condition rosacea.

A study conducted by doctors from the University of Copenhagen found that the increased number of certain proteins that are present in the bodies of rosacea patients may make them more likely to develop dementia in later life. The cells in question are matrix metalloproteinases and antimicrobial peptides, with volumes of these higher than normal in people with rosacea.

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition, which often manifests itself in red patches of skin, most notably on the face, leaving many patients looking permanently flushed.

Following analysis of data relating to more than five million Danish citizens, including over 82,000 with rosacea and 99,000 with dementia, scientists were able to establish a clear link between the two conditions.

It was found that individuals with rosacea were seven per cent more likely to be diagnosed with dementia, while their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increased by 25 per cent. This was still the case when other potential mitigating factors, such as age and previous health history, were taken into account.

What's more, the results of the investigation showed that women with rosacea were more likely than men with the skin condition to be diagnosed with dementia in later life, as females' risk of developing the degenerative condition rose by 28 per cent, while mens' rose by 16 per cent in comparison.

Rosacea patients aged 60 and over were also at an increased risk of developing dementia, with the research finding they were 20 per cent more likely than their younger counterparts to receive an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.

Dr Alexander Egeberg, lead author of the study, commented: "Emerging evidence suggests that rosacea may be linked with neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease and now also Alzheimer's disease.

"There are certain mechanistic overlaps between rosacea and Alzheimer's disease that may explain the observed association, albeit the pathogenic links between these conditions are still unclear."

Written by Martin Lambert

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