Clinical analysis of patients with pemphigoid-like ophthalmological symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was a clinical analysis of patients with symptoms typical of pemphigoid.


METHODS
21 patients were enrolled on the study within the period 1988-2004. The frequency and type of ophthalmological and extraocular symptoms and accompanying diseases were assessed. The analysis also contains immunological findings as well as administered treatment.


RESULTS
Ophthalmological changes were detected in 100% of examined patients with pemphigoid. The most frequent were dry eye syndrome and conjunctivitis. Immunohistochemical tests revealed the presence of antibodies in 68.2% of the examined cases. All patients required specific treatment--local, general and surgical. Despite the administered therapy the development of cicatricial changes was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic conjunctivitis and keratitis require diagnostics into pemphigoid. Intensive therapy is necessary in patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) because of high risk of blindness. Delayed diagnostics disable immunohistochemical confirmation of disease.
Moneta-Wielgos
Joanna
J
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. j.mw@vp.pl
Kecik
Dariusz
D
Brydak-Godowska
Joanna
J
Samsel
Agnieszka
A
Drobecka-Brydak
Ewa
E
Kecik
Mariusz
M
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007634:Keratitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010390:Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003176:Complement C3; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions