Fecal Calprotectin Level in Patients with Rosacea: Gut Inflammation May Be Associated with the Type of Rosacea, A Case-Control Study

ABS TRACT Objective: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that has complex pathogenesis. The association between rosacea and in fl ammatory gastrointestinal tract disorders is a popular topic, and fecal calprotectin is a potential marker to diagnose intestinal inflammation of any cause. In this study, the aims were to determine the relationship between disease type, disease severity, and fecal calprotectin levels in patients with rosacea, and also compare the calprotectin levels between healthy controls and rosacea patients. Material and Methods: Forty-six patients with rosacea, and sex-age-matched 92 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Calprotectin levels of stool samples were calculated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Of these patients, 30 (65.2%) had ery- thematotelangiectatic type rosacea, and 16 (34.8%) had papulopustular type rosacea. There was not a statistically significant difference between the mean fecal calprotectin levels of the patient and control groups (p=0.414), whereas the mean fecal calprotectin levels of the erythematotelangiectatic type group was lower than the papulopustular type group, and this difference was significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, the underlying patho- genesis of different types of rosacea may be different, and the papulopustular type of rosacea may be more related to gut inflammation. In addition, we think that fecal calprotectin may be useful in evaluating intestinal inflammation especially in patients with papulopustular type and severe rosacea.