title: Bullous pemphigoid: clinical practice guidelines.
abstract: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal bullous disease in which autoantibodies are directed against components of the basement membrane. Most of these antibodies belong to the immunoglobulin G class and bind principally to 2 hemidesmosomal proteins: the 180-kD antigen (BP180) and the 230-kD antigen (BP230). It is the most common blistering disease in the adult population in developed countries, with an estimated incidence in Spain of 0.2 to 3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The disease primarily affects older people, although it can also occur in young people and even in children. In recent years, advances in clinical practice have led to a better understanding and improved management of this disorder. These advances include new diagnostic techniques, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for BP180 and new drugs for the treatment of BP, with diverse therapeutic targets. There is, however, still no international consensus on guidelines for the management of BP. This article is an updated review of the scientific literature on the treatment of BP. It focuses primarily on evidence-based recommendations and is written from a practical standpoint based on experience in the routine management of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Parc Taulí de Sabadell, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, España. Electronic address: tressoles8113@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fuertes de Vega
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iranzo-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mascaró-Galy
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
keywords: Ampolla subepidérmica; Autoimmune blistering diseases; Bullous pemphigoid; Enfermedades ampollosas autoinmunes; Fármacos inmunosupresores; Guías de manejo terapéutico; Immunosuppressive agents; Penfigoide ampolloso; Subepidermal blister; Treatment and management guidelines