title: Colchicine for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a chronic subepidermal blistering disease that is difficult to treat. Recently one patient with severe EBA was described who responded dramatically to colchicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to determine the efficacy of colchicine in the treatment of EBA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four patients with severe EBA refractory to conventional therapy were treated with colchicine 0.6 to 1.5 mg a day for up to 4 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all four patients the lessening of skin fragility and the decrease in spontaneous blister formation were dramatic; few side effects were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colchicine should be considered in the treatment of EBA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, California, USA.
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Kirchmann
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Woodley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003078:Colchicine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D016107:Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000473:pathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D003078:Colchicine