title: Updates on the management of autoimmune blistering diseases.
abstract: Autoimmune blistering diseases are rare, but potentially debilitating cutaneous disorders characterized by varying degrees of mucosal and cutaneous bullae formation. Topical therapy is appropriate for mild and even some moderate disease activity, but systemic treatment can be considered for more extensive involvement. Corticosteroids remain the first-line systemic therapy for patients with moderate to severe bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris. While the use of systemic steroids has dramatically reduced mortality from these two autoimmune blistering disorders, treatment is also associated with multiple side effects, especially when used long-term. Steroid sparing agents, therefore, are invaluable in inducing long-term remission while minimizing steroid associated side effects. Treatment must be tailored to the individual patient's condition, and several other factors must be carefully considered in choosing appropriate therapy: 1) diagnosis, 2) severity of the condition and body site affected, 3) presence of comorbidities, and 4) ability to tolerate systemic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Joanna  N
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hooten
authors.forename: Russell  P
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Adela  R
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cardones
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001768:Blister / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids