BACKGROUND: The precise pathomechanism of rosacea remains elusive. The disease commonly requires long-term treatments using topical or oral therapies. OBJECTIVE: This report presents incidental findings about the possible modulatory role of somatostatin in the outcome of rosacea. METHOD: Four patients presenting long-standing recalcitrant facial rosacea were treated with octreotide for diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: Rosacea improved rapidly and even cleared without any recurrence in 3 of the patients. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effect might be attributed to inhibitory actions on the sebaceous gland, the neovascularization and/or on the inflammatory process. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
BACKGROUND: The precise pathomechanism of rosacea remains elusive. The disease commonly requires long-term treatments using topical or oral therapies. OBJECTIVE: This report presents incidental findings about the possible modulatory role of somatostatin in the outcome of rosacea. METHOD: Four patients presenting long-standing recalcitrant facial rosacea were treated with octreotide for diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS:Rosacea improved rapidly and even cleared without any recurrence in 3 of the patients. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effect might be attributed to inhibitory actions on the sebaceous gland, the neovascularization and/or on the inflammatory process. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel