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Patients with rosacea had higher prevalence of Demodex mite infestation
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Patients with rosacea experienced significantly higher prevalence and degrees of Demodex mite infestation when compared with healthy controls, according to study results published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Researchers in Taiwan conducted a systematic literature review using PubMed, MEDLINE and EmBase from inception through Oct. 31, 2016, with search terms including “Demodex” or “Demodex mite” combined with “rosacea.”
Meta-analysis was performed, with subgroup analysis for rosacea type, control group and sampling and examination method also conducted.
There were 23 case-control studies with 1,513 patients with rosacea that met inclusion criteria.
Meta-analysis found that the patients with rosacea had a higher likelihood of being infested with Demodex mites (OR = 9.039; 95% CI, 4.827-16.925) and significantly higher Demodex density (standard mean difference [SMD] = 1.617; 95% CI, 1.09-2.145) when compared with healthy controls.
There was significantly higher Demodex density reported for patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (SMD = 2.686; 95% CI, 1.256-4.116) and papulopustular rosacea (SMD = 2.804; 95% CI, 1.464-4.145) compared with controls.
“This meta-analysis demonstrated that patients with rosacea had a significantly higher prevalence and degree of Demodex mite infestation than did control patients,” the researchers concluded. “Although our data cannot demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between Demodex mites and rosacea, the association suggests that mites may play a pathogenic role in this disease.” – by Bruce Thiel
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