THE ROLE OF DEMODEX IN PATIENTS WITH FACIAL DERMATOSIS

ABSTRACT
Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of Demodex spp. using the superficial skin biopsy method in patients with facial dermatosis and healthy individuals and to determine the relationship between this pathogen and facial dermatosis, hygiene habits, and skin type.
Materials and Methods: A total of 103 patients of all age groups who were clinically and/or histopathologically diagnosed with rosacea, steroid-induced perioral dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, or acne vulgaris were included in the study. As a control group, 104 volunteer patients of the same age distribution who were admitted to the Skin and Venereal Diseases Polyclinic and did not have facial dermatosis were included in the study. A non-invasive standard superficial skin biopsy (SSSB), the most appropriate method for detecting Demodex spp. density, was performed. The patients and dermatose subgroups were statistically compared with the volunteers in the control group in terms of variables such as age, sex, Demodex positivity, skin type, and hygiene habits.
Results: The age distribution of the patient group ranged between 8-81 years with a mean age of 37.37±17.15 years. The age distribution of the control group ranged between 10-76 years and the mean age was 35.42±15.76 years. There was no statistically significant relationship between the presence of Demodex in the patient and control groups in terms of age, sex, and hygiene habits (p>0.05). When the subgroups of patients with facial dermatosis were compared, Demodex was detected in 60.7% of patients with seborrheic dermatitis (p=0.015). Significant Demodex positivity was also detected in patients with oily skin. (p=0.010).
Conclusion: Oily skin type and seborrheic dermatitis, one of the facial dermatoses, has a significant association with Demodex, while factors such as age, sex, hygiene habits were not found to be associated with the presence of Demodex.
Keywords: Demodex, facial dermatosis, seborrheic dermatitis, oily skin