title: Efficacy and safety of azathioprine and dapsone as an adjuvant in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic, blistering and autoimmune disease, common in old age. The treatment usually includes systemic steroids, however, these cause high morbidity rates, and then different products that function as adjuvants have been tried. At present, there are no studies to determine which adjuvant offers a better efficacy and safety profile.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study which included the records of patients with bullous pemphigoid, treated either with azathioprine or dapsone. We evaluated the time to achieve complete remission, the time to inhibit disease progression, and the control of pruritus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen records of patients were selected, eight (53%) treated with azathioprine and seven (47%) with dapsone. Complete remission was achieved at week six in both groups. We found no difference in the inhibition of disease progression (p=0.083). Pruritus was controlled at four weeks of treatment in both treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both products are effective as adjuvant in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid, with an acceptable safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital General de México, Mexico City, Mexico. atsdermahgm@gmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tirado-Sánchez
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Díaz-Molina
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ponce-Olivera
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003622:Dapsone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003622:Dapsone; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone