[Epidemiology of pemphigus in the Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain, 2005-2006].
BACKGROUND
Pemphigus is a serious, potentially fatal chronic autoimmune bullous disease with cutaneous and mucosal manifestations. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective cohort study that included patients diagnosed with pemphigus in the dermatology department of Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain, in 2005 and 2006. We reviewed demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data.


CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-three patients, the majority women, were included in the study. Clinical onset usually occurred between 30 and 60 years of age. The most common variant was pemphigus vulgaris (79 %), and the sites most frequently affected were the oral mucosa, trunk, and scalp. Oral corticosteroids were the initial treatment of choice in all patients, and azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil were given as adjuvant therapy. Complete remission was induced in 8.68 % of patients and partial remission in 91.32 %. The main complications were infections, osteopenia and osteoporosis, and cataracts.
Coronel-Pérez
Isabel M
IM
Departamento de Dermatología Médico-Quirúrgica y Venereología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España.
Rodríguez-Rey
E M
EM
Pérez-Bernal
A M
AM
Camacho
F M
FM
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate