Evaluation of Serum Levels of Uric acid and Bilirubin in Iraqi Patients with Rosacea

Abstract

Background: Rosacea is a chronic  inflammatory skin disease that affects the face with no clear etiology. It is distinguished by prominent involvement of the central face with erythema that may be permanent or temporary, inflammatory pustules , papules and telangiectasia or connective tissue hyperplasia. The role of uric acid and bilirubin in the pathogenesis of rosacea is explained by two theories. The first one states that uric acid and bilirubin alleviate rosacea by their antioxidant effects, while the second one postulates that uric acid exacerbate rosacea by its proinflammatory effects. Aim of study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate serum levels of bilirubin and uric acid in patients with rosacea and compare them with control group. Methodology: This is a case-control study that included 80 subjects (40 patients and 40 controls) and was performed at Al Sader medical city/ dermatology outpatient clinic in Al Najaf city, from the 1st of January 2022 to the end of December 2022. Patients were recorded (age, sex, family history of rosacea), as well as clinical information (duration of illness, involvement sites, and rosacea subtypes). Blood samples were taken from all participants and the values of total bilirubin and uric acid were recorded. Results: The present study reported female predominance. Erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea was the most common type. Serum uric acid and bilirubin levels were significantly lower in the rosacea group than the control group. Conclusions: The  study supports the hypothesis of antioxidant activity of uric acid and bilirubin and  in contrast with the hypothesis of proinflammatory activity of uric acid.