Rosacea Epidemiological Investigation and Etiology Exploration in the Plateau Area

Background The epidemiology of 2 neighboring cities of differing altitude in Northwest China is unknown. The present study investigated the prevalence of rosacea in a high-altitude city and a low-altitude city. Methods The prevalence study was conducted via clinical examination of male and female participants in the following age groups: 5–17, 18–30, 31–50, and 51–70 years. Rosacea subtype was also determined as erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETTR) or papulopustular rosacea (PPR). Results The rosacea prevalence (RP) in the low-altitude city was 33.8% ± 1.2% (95% CI, ETTR = 1794, PPR = 174, n = 5794). RP in the high-altitude city has a notably higher reading of 47.7% ± 1.4% (95% CI, ETTR = 2090, PPR = 219, n = 4796). In both cities, the ETTR subtype predominated, and there was marked increase in RP among females. RP in low-altitude city females was steady across all age groups, while RP in low-altitude city males showed a declining trend with age. RP in high-altitude city females indicated a slightly increasing trend with age, while RP in males again showed a declining trend with age. Based on the results of this high-altitude city and low-altitude city study, there are an estimated 2.1 million people with rosacea, from 2 cities with a total population of 5.4 million. Conclusions Due to the high altitude and accompanying increased UV radiation, cold climate, and reduced oxygen density, the greater northwest region of China is expected to experience high RP rates.