Efficacy of menopausal hormone therapy and TECAR-therapy in the complex treatment of erythematotelangiectatic subtype of rosacea

Background. Current demographic data demonstrate a steady increase in life expectancy, resulting in an increasing proportion of age-related conditions in the pattern of medical care seeking. In women over 45, conditions associated with the perimenopausal period occupy a particularly prominent place in the morbidity structure. Loss of peripheral vascular control, which occurs due to estrogen deficiency, leads to dilation of dermal and subcutaneous blood vessels, which can significantly worsen the course of rosacea. The use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and TECAR therapy in perimenopausal patients appears to be a promising method for treating and maintaining stable remission in the erythematotelangiectatic subtype of rosacea.

Study objective. To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of TECAR therapy and MHT in perimenopausal patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) in terms of clinical symptoms of the dermatosis and quality of life, taking into account short-term and long-term follow-up results.

Methods. A single-center, open-label, prospective, comparative, randomized study included 63 perimenopausal patients with ETR. MHT was administered as prescribed by a gynecologist using a continuous therapy preparation containing 1 mg estradiol and 10 mg dydrogesterone. TECAR therapy procedures were performed using the INDIBA Elite NS device. The modified dermatological index of the rosacea symptom scale (DIRSS) was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of treatment. The impact of treatment regimens on the quality of life of patients with rosacea was determined using the dermatological index of quality of life (DIQL).

Results. Upon completion of treatment, significant positive dynamics were noted in all groups, reflecting the effectiveness of the methods used (p T1- T2<0.001 in all groups). However, the lowest DIQL values were observed in Group C, which received combination therapy using MHT and TECAR therapy. The dynamics of the DIQL indicator correlated with the clinical effectiveness of the therapeutic regimens: the most pronounced positive effect on the quality of life of patients with ETPR was provided by the combination of MHT and TECAR therapy in both the short-term and long-term follow-up periods.

Conclusion. Combination treatment of ETPR using MHT and TECAR therapy is superior in effectiveness to monotherapy with the components of the method, which is associated with the synergism of MHT and radiofrequency therapy in relation to the vascular component of the dermatosis, as well as the anti-inflammatory effects of TECAR therapy.

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