Pemphigus vulgaris in Iran: a clinical study of 140 cases.
BACKGROUND
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. It varies in its clinical profile and epidemiologic characteristics in different parts of the world.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical features of PV in Iran in a prospective manner.


METHODS
The study included 140 patients with newly registered PV attending our dermatology clinic between January 2003 and June 2004. RESULTS The mean age at the onset of the disease was 41.5 +/- 15.7 years, with a female to male ratio of 1.59 : 1. At presentation to our clinic, both skin and mucosal involvement was observed in 95 patients (67.9%). Cutaneous lesions without the involvement of the mucous membranes were seen in nine patients (6.4%), and exclusive mucosal involvement was present in 36 patients (25.7%). The most common initial localization of the disease was the oral cavity, which was involved in 93 patients (77.5%). The most frequent cutaneous and mucosal sites involved were the thorax and oral cavity, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Although minor differences were noted, the results of this study are in relatively good agreement with the literature with regard to the age, gender, and initial presentation of PV in Iran. Some skin sites, such as the scalp, thorax, and axilla, may be more commonly affected in men. Patients with initial mucosal lesions were significantly younger than those with initial cutaneous involvement. Mucosal lesions other than the oral mucosa may be more common than previously thought.
Esmaili
Nafiseh
N
Department of Dermatology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nafiseesmaili@yahoo.com
Chams-Davatchi
Cheyda
C
Valikhani
Mahin
M
Daneshpazhooh
Maryam
M
Balighi
Kamran
K
Hallaji
Zahra
Z
Barzegari
Masoumeh
M
Akhyani
Maryam
M
Ghodsi
Zahra S
ZS
Mrotazavi
Hossein
H
Naraghi
Zahra S
ZS
Toosi
Siavash
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology