Background: Permethrin 5% cream used against human ectoparasites suggests that it may be effective in papulopustular rosacea. Methods: This study included 63 patients diagnosed as having papulopustular rosacea based on the clinical and histological findings. Patients were randomly assigned into permethrin (n = 23), metronidazole (n = 20) and placebo (n = 20) groups. Scores of erythema, telangiectasia, edema and rhinophyma and the numbers of papules, pustules, inflammatory nodules and Demodex folliculorum were determined. Twenty-three patients were given permethrin 5% cream (Zalvor 5% skin cream^®), 20 patients metronidazole 0.75% gel (Roza gel^®) and 20 patients placebo cream (Basis cream^®), in packages looking identical to those of metronidazole and permethrin creams, and were recommended to apply them to their faces twice a day. All patients were also given SPF 20 cream for protection against sunlight. Two months of treatment were planned, and the patients were invited to the clinic for fortnightly controls. Scores of erythema, telangiectasia, edema and rhinophyma and the numbers of papules, pustules, inflammatory nodules and D. folliculorum were recorded at each visit. The mean scores of erythema and the mean numbers of papules, pustules and D. folliculorum were determined at baseline and on days 15, 30, 45 and 60. Side effects were also detected. Results: The effect of permethrin 5% cream on D. folliculorum was superior to that of metronidazole 0.75% gel. The effect of permethrin 5% cream on erythema and papules was found to be more effective than placebo and as effective as metronidazole 0.75% gel. However, it had no effect on telangiectasia, rhinophyma and pustules. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the application of permethrin 5% cream twice daily for 2 months can be as effective and reliable as metronidazole in the treatment of rosacea and a greater benefit can be gained when it is combined with other systemic and/or topical treatments.

Introduction Little is known about the relationship between Behçet’s disease (BD) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Aims The aims were to evaluate the prevalence of FSD in premenopausal BD patients and to compare hormonal and psychiatric conditions to healthy subjects. Methods A total of 71 married women with BD and 63 healthy married women between 18 and 44 years old were enrolled into the study. After evaluating detailed history and physical examination, serum steroid hormone levels were measured. Presence of genital ulcerations in physical examination and any medical treatment were recorded in patients. All subjects were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for sexual status and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for psychiatric assessment. Main Outcomes Measures FSFI and BDI scores and serum sex steroid hormone levels were measured in women with BD and healthy controls. Results The mean BDI score of patients was significantly greater than that for controls (P = 0.001), and there was a statistically significant difference between BDI scores (Pearson χ2 = 19.109, P = 0.001). FSD was found in 34 patients with BD (47.9%) and in 11 controls (17.5%). A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (Pearson χ2 = 13.855, P = 0.001). While the most common sexual problem in the patients with BD was diminished arousal (n = 49, 69.0%), diminished desire was found in 32 patients (45.1%) and lubrication problems in 36 patients (50.7%). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between BDI and FSFI score in BD patients. On the contrary, there was no relationship between FSFI and presence of genital ulcerations. Conclusion FSD is more common in BD patients than in healthy subjects. We conclude that depressive mood according to the BDI scale correlates with the sexual status of BD patients, and this may be because of the depressive effect of BD as a chronic disease.

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