Pemphigus: use of the Japanese severity index in 56 Moroccan patients.
BACKGROUND
In pemphigus, there still is no consensus on parameters mesuring clinically the disease severity. The aim of this study is to use the Japanese severity index in Moroccan patients with pemphigus.


METHODS
Multicenter prospective study from September 2007 to September 2009 including consecutive patients with confirmed pemphigus. We used the Japenese severity index for pemphigus. For each patient, the score was calculated at diagnosis and at 6 months of follow-up and correlated to type of pemphigus; mean dosage of corticosteroids and clinical statuts at 6 months: dead or not.


RESULTS
Fifty six patients were included, 20 men and 36 women, mean age 46.62 ± 15.9 years. At diagnosis, the mean initial score was 7.7 + 2.36; at six months, it was 1.61 + 1.83. The score variation at 6 months and inclusion was 6.19 ± 2.18 for deep pemphigus and 5.43 ± 2.85 for superficial pemphigus (p = 0,3 non significant). At six months, 4 patients were dead: their initial score was 11 + 1.41 while the initial score in the 52 patients was 7.4±2.03 (p = 0,001, significant). Data showed no correlation between initial severity scores and cumulative dosage of corticosteroids at 6 months (Pearson coefficient of correlation 0.144; p = 0.580).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, initial severity scores for pemphigus were high and decreased at 6 months of treatment. Both deep pemphigus and superficial pemphigus were severe as their score variation was similar. Japenese severity score is useful for Moroccan patients with pemphigus.
Department of Dermatology Ibn Rochd Universary Hospital, Casablanca, Morroco.
Hakima
H
Benchikhi
Laboratory of epidemiologie, Faculty of Medicine, Casablanca, Morroco.
Samira
S
Nani
Department of Dermatology, Hassan II Universary Hospital, Fes, Morroco.
Hanane
H
Baybay
Department of Dermatology, Ibn Tofail Universary Hospital, Marrakech, Morroco.
Said
S
Amal
Department of Dermatology, Hassan II Universary Hospital, Fes, Morroco.
Fatim-Zahra
FZ
Mernissi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
pemphigus; severity score