Mortality of bullous skin disorders from 1979 through 2002 in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and analyze trends in bullous disease mortality from 1979 through 2002 in the United States.


METHODS
Retrospective population-based analysis.


METHODS
Mortality records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mortality database.


METHODS
Mortality records from 1979 through 2002 for persons who died of bullous disease.


METHODS
Age-adjusted mortality rates and trends for 4 bullous disease subgroups: toxic epidermal necrolysis, pemphigoid, pemphigus, and epidermolysis bullosa.


RESULTS
The overall age-adjusted (to the 2000 US standard population) annual mortality rate from bullous diseases of the skin was 0.103 death per 100 000. The average mortality from bullous disorders was 0.098 per 100 000 in 1979 through 1982 and remained stable at 0.099 per 100 000 during the final 4 years of the study, 1999 through 2002. Pemphigoid had a significant increase in mortality from 1979 through 2002, while pemphigus demonstrated a significant decrease in mortality. The mortality rate for toxic epidermal necrolysis was much higher among blacks (0.192 death per 100 000) than whites (0.025 per 100 000) (P < .001), with a mortality rate ratio of 7.57 (95% confidence interval, 6.97-8.21).


CONCLUSIONS
Overall mortality from bullous diseases remained stable from 1979 through 2002, although an increasing mortality from pemphigoid and a decreasing mortality from pemphigus occurred during this period. A very large racial disparity in mortality from toxic epidermal necrolysis was observed.
Risser
Jessica
J
Dermatoepidemiology Unit, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mail Stop 111D, 830 Chalkstone Ave, Providence, RI 02908, USA.
Lewis
Kevan
K
Weinstock
Martin A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult