Rosacea: The Patient Experience is Now ‘CLEAR’

Abstract

These ‘Meet The Expert’ sessions took place during the 28th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV). Prof Schaller introduced the many faces of rosacea and explained that this disease can present as a single phenotype, but more often presents as a combination of phenotypes, including transient erythema (flushing), persistent erythema, telangiectasia, inflammatory papules/pustules, phymas, or ocular abnormalities, and is not easy to diagnose or classify. The most commonly used classification system for rosacea is that of the National Rosacea Society (NRS); however, this classification does not reflect the everyday clinical situation. Patients with rosacea have a high burden of disease. Correct diagnosis and effective treatment, which should continue until the patient is ‘clear’, is required to lower the burden of rosacea. Prof Schaller emphasised that achieving ‘clear’ is clinically meaningful for the patient, with benefits including improved quality of life, longer time to relapse, reduced social and productivity burden, and increased overall happiness. Prof Schaller introduced ROSCO, the Rosacea Consensus panel, which defined the most important clinical phenotypes of rosacea to form the basis of diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease. The ROSCO treatment algorithm enables healthcare providers to make a clear diagnosis and aim treatment towards, and achieve, a ‘clear’ goal. No two rosacea patients are the same, so treatment needs to be individualised, as shown in the three presented case studies. Prof Schaller concluded that the ROSCO classification, treatment algorithm, and recommendations have simplified the task of effective diagnosis and treatment of rosacea by addressing the multiple features and aiming for ‘clear’. A phenotype-based approach could improve patient outcomes to ‘clear’, with ‘clear’ versus ‘almost clear’ being the primary objective because of the extended relapse time and the patient quality of life benefits.