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

BackgroundUnderstanding the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the pathogenesis of rosacea might provide new therapeutic avenues for individuals with this disease.ObjectiveTo compare plasma levels of CGRP between individuals with rosacea and healthy controls.MethodsIn 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.ResultsWe 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.LimitationsParticipants were not age-, sex- and BMI-matched.Conclusions and RelevanceElevated 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.Clinicaltrials.gov listingNCT03872050