Background: Rosacea is a common, chronic facial dermatosis of uncertain etiology, several well-defined types and variable progression. There is a paucity of epidemiologic studies from North African countries especially in Tunisia.
Aim: to determine epidemiological, clinical, histological features, treatment and outcome of rosacea in a Tunisian study.
Methods: A retrospective study of all rosacea cases diagnosed in the outpatient Dermatology Department of Charles Nicolle hospital of Tunis was conducted between 1990, January and 2003, May.
Results: Our study included 244 patients. The diagnosis of rosacea was made on symptoms and clinical features in 185 cases and on histological findings in 59 patients. The hospital prevalence of rosacea was 0.2%. The sex ratio M/F was 0,4. Patient's Mean age was of 49 years. Triggered factors mentioned included most often: sun exposure (64%) and thermal stimuli (25%). Mean duration between the onset of symptoms and the first consultation was about 20 months. The rosacea subtypes were: erythematotelangiectatic type (12%), papulopustular rosacea (69%), and rhinophyma (3.7%). Granulomatous rosacea was diagnosed in 8 patients and steroid rosacea in 28 cases. Ocular rosacea was observed in 41 cases. Treatment modalities included: topical treatment (1.6%), systemic treatment (85%), systemic and topical treatment (5%) and surgical procedures (1.2%).
Conclusions: Rosacea seems to be a frequent dermatosis in Tunisia where most of the population is phenotype IV-V. It affects mostly middle-aged women. Most of our patients present with papulopustular rosacea (69%). More epidemiological and clinical studies in North African countries should be conducted to emphasize these results.