Rosacea Associated With Body Weight Status With Spicy Food Consumption

Body mass index (BMI) alone was not associated with rosacea in a case-control study, but BMI and spicy food consumption may be involved in rosacea severity.

Researchers aimed to clarify the relationship between BMI and rosacea and determine the interaction between BMI and spicy food consumption in rosacea in a hospital-based case-control study. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed.

No relationship was found between underweight, overweight/obesity, and spicy food consumption and the risk of rosacea, mild to moderate rosacea, papulopustular rosacea (PPR), or phymatous rosacea (PhR). BMI was also not associated with rosacea, mild to moderate rosacea, PPR, or PhR.

Spicy food consumption was, however, associated with underweight on the risk of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) and with overweight/obesity on the risk of severe rosacea. Overweight/obesity was associated with a decreased risk of severe rosacea among moderated spicy food consumers, but it was associated with severe rosacea among spicy no users and heavy spicy food consumers.

“Body weight status alone was not significantly associated with rosacea, but the interaction between body weight status and spicy food consumption is involved in the rosacea,” concluded the study authors.

Reference
Wang B, Huang X, Zhao Z, et al. Interaction between body weight status and spicy food consumption on the risk of rosacea: A multi-central, hospital-based, case-control study. J Cosmet Dermatol. Published online October 31, 2021. doi:10.1111/jocd.14556