Rosacea assessment by erythema index and principal component analysis segmentation maps

RGB images of rosacea were analyzed using segmentation maps of principal component analysis (PCA) and erythema index (EI). Areas of segmented clusters were compared to Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA) values given by two dermatologists. The results show that visible blood vessels are segmented more precisely on maps of the erythema index and the third principal component (PC3). In many cases, a distribution of clusters on EI and PC3 maps are very similar. Mean values of clusters' areas on these maps show a decrease of the area of blood vessels and erythema and an increase of lighter skin area after the therapy for the patients with diagnosis CEA = 2 on the first visit and CEA=1 on the second visit. This study shows that EI and PC3 maps are more useful than the maps of the first (PC1) and second (PC2) principal components for indicating vascular structures and erythema on the skin of rosacea patients and therapy monitoring.