Elevated plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide in individuals with rosacea: A cross-sectional case-control study

Nita K F Wienholtz, Casper E Christensen, Håkan Ashina, Niklas R Jørgensen, Alexander Egeberg, Jacob P Thyssen, Messoud Ashina*

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Understanding the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the pathogenesis of rosacea might provide new therapeutic avenues for individuals with this disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare plasma levels of CGRP between individuals with rosacea and healthy controls.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional case-control study conducted in Copenhagen, Denmark, we collected blood samples from the antecubital vein from adults with rosacea and from healthy controls.

RESULTS: We enrolled 123 individuals with rosacea and 68 healthy controls. After adjusting for age and sex, plasma levels of CGRP were significantly higher in individuals with rosacea (mean, 95% confidence interval: 140.21 pmol/L, 128.50-151.92 pmol/L), compared with controls (110.77 pmol/L, 99.91-120.14 pmol/L, p = 0.002). Plasma levels of CGRP were not affected by age, sex, BMI, concomitant migraine, rosacea sub- or phenotype, concomitant disease or current treatment.

LIMITATIONS: Participants were not age-, sex- and BMI-matched.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Elevated plasma levels of CGRP in individuals with rosacea suggest a role of CGRP in the pathogenesis of rosacea. Targeting CGRP signalling might hold therapeutic promise in people affected by this disease.

GOV LISTING: NCT03872050.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
Volume39
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)181-188
Number of pages8
ISSN0926-9959
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2025

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rosacea/blood

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