Treatment of symptoms of erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea with topical potassium azeloyl diglycinate and hydroxypropyl chitosan : results of a sponsor-free, multicenter, open study

Thirty-seven adult Caucasian patients (9 males and 28 females), with erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea accompanied by stinging and burning sensation, were treated with a cream containing 5% potassium azeloyl diglycinate and 1% hydroxypropyl chitosan. All patients were previously treated at other centers with topical azelaic acid and/or metronidazole. The cream was applied twice daily for 12 weeks. The objective of the study was the evaluation of the soothing effect of the cream: stinging and burning sensation were measured by means of a 4-point scale (0 = absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, and 3 = severe). All patients were clinically evaluated every 4 weeks. Of 37 patients (81.1%), 30 were considered evaluable. Before the beginning of the study, the total score of stinging and burning sensation was 66 (mean: 2.2 points/patient); at the end of the study, it was 37 points (-29) (mean: 1.2 points/patient), with a reduction of 56.1%. No side effects were reported or observed. This study shows that the fixed combination potassium azeloyl diglycinate - hydroxypropyl chitosan is effective in reducing stinging and burning sensation in patients with erythemato-telangiectatic rosacea.