Prevalence of rosacea in the general population of Germany and Russia – The RISE study

BACKGROUND: There is an unmet need for general population‐based epidemiological data on rosacea based on contemporary diagnostic criteria and validated population survey methodology. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of rosacea in the general population of Germany and Russia. METHODS: General population screening was conducted in 9–10 cities per country to ensure adequate geographic representation. In Part I of this two‐phase study, screening of a representative sample of the general population (every fifth person or every fifth door using a fixed‐step procedure on a random route sample) was expedited with use of a questionnaire and algorithm based on current diagnostic criteria for rosacea. Of the subjects that screened positive in the initial phase, a randomly selected sample (every third subject) t`hen underwent diagnostic confirmation by a dermatologist in Part II. RESULTS: A total of 3052 and 3013 subjects (aged 18–65 years) were screened in Germany and Russia respectively. Rosacea prevalence was 12.3% [95%CI, 10.2–14.4] in Germany and 5.0% [95%CI, 2.8–7.2] in Russia. The profile of subjects with rosacea (75% women; mean age of 40 years; mainly skin phototype II or III, majority of subjects with sensitive facial skin) and subtype distribution were similar. Overall, 18% of subjects diagnosed with rosacea were aged 18–30 years. Over 80% were not previously diagnosed. Within the previous year, 47.5% of subjects had received no rosacea care and 23.7% had received topical and/or systemic drugs. Over one‐third (35% Germany, 43% Russia) of rosacea subjects reported a moderate to severe adverse impact on quality of life. CONCLUSION: Rosacea is highly prevalent in Germany (12.3%) and Russia (5.0%). The demographic profile of rosacea subjects was similar between countries and the majority were previously undiagnosed.