Statistical Observation of Bullous Pemphigoid Patients Reported at the Dermatology Clinic, Ryukyus University Hospital

Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous skin disease of the elderly and is associated with a considerable case-fatality rate. The authors investigated the treatment and prognosis of patients with this disorder who visited the Dermatology Clinic, Ryukyus University Hospital, Okinawa, between 1988-2003. Fifty-seven percent of 26 patients were female. The mean age at the first visit was 72.6 years and mean follow-up was 39 months. Of the 26 patients, 16 cases (62%) were treated with systemic glucocorticosteroids alone, 2(8%) with diaphenylsulfone and glucocorticosteroids, 4(15%) with cyclosporin and glucocorticosteroids, 2(8%) with minocycline and nicotinamide, and 2(8%) with topical glucocorticosteroids, minocycline and nicotinamide. The fatality rate was 42%. Of the 24 patients, 5(21%) died in the first year after diagnosis. The main cause of death was pneumonia.