KUTLUBAY Z, SEVİM KEÇİCİ A, ÇELİK U, MAT C. A survey of bullous diseases in a Turkish university hospital: clinicoepidemiological characteristics and follow-up.
Turk J Med Sci 2021;
51:124-133. [PMID:
32892539 PMCID:
PMC7991873 DOI:
10.3906/sag-2006-231]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aim
Autoimmune bullous diseases, if left untreated, are life-threatening conditions affecting primarily skin and mucous membranes. These blistering disorders are characterized by epidermal or subepidermal detachment. Autoimmunity plays a key role in pathogenesis; therefore, immunosuppressive agents are the treatment of choice. The aim of this study is to document relative frequencies of different autoimmune bullous diseases, patient characteristics, treatment options, and side effects in patients presenting to our bullous skin disease center at İstanbul University, Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty.
Materials and methods
Medical files were examined retrospectively for all patients with autoimmune bullous diseases who were followed up between 2003 and 2019 at the Bullous Skin Disease Center at İstanbul University, Cerrahpaşa.
Results
A total of 346 patient files were examined. Pemphigus vulgaris was the most frequent autoimmune bullous disease, followed by bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus foliaceus, according to our study. There is a general female predominancy for all autoimmune bullous diseases. The most commonly preferred treatment options were high-dose daily corticosteroids.
Conclusion
This retrospective study summarizes the patient characteristics, comorbidities, treatment choices, and side effects during 16 years of clinical practice.
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