Quality of health care of rosacea in Germany from the patient's perspective: results of the national health care study Rosareal 2009.

OBJECTIVES

To obtain reliable data on quality of care of rosacea and to compare care indicators with those found in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, clinical history, health-related quality of life (HrQoL), medication and treatment benefit of patients with rosacea were assessed by standardized questionnaires. Data were compared to patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

RESULTS

Almost all 475 participants (96.4%) had received topical therapy. 24% had used cortisone ointments. The mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was 4.3 ± 4.6 (atopic dermatitis: 8.5 ± 6.0, psoriasis: 6.7 ± 6.2). The Patient Benefit Index (patient-defined therapeutic benefit) was 1.9 ± 1.2 (psoriasis: 2.3 ± 1.1, atopic dermatitis: 2.1 ± 1.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Only a small proportion of the rosacea patients had substantial impairments in HrQoL. Overall, their burden appears to be lower than in patients with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. However, the lower therapeutic benefit and the high proportion of topical steroid use indicate a need for optimized therapy.