RESUMO
Background: Bullous pemphigoid is the most common subepidermal autoimmune blistering disease. Till now, the reported prognostic factors in bullous pemphigoid vary considerably. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the overall survival rate and prognostic factors in bullous pemphigoid. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on newly diagnosed bullous pemphigoid patients between July 2001 and November 2019 in a referral unit for autoimmune blistering skin diseases in Romania. Results: One hundred forty-eight patients were included in the study. The Kaplan–Meier overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were respectively 74.2% (95% confidence interval, 67.5–81.6%), 53.4% (45.7–62.2%), 43.6% (35.9–53%) and 31.3% (23.5–41.7%). The median follow-up among survivors was 48 months (interquartile range: 11–150). Ninety (60.8%) patients died during the follow-up period; of them, 38 (42.2%) had active disease at the time of death. Advanced age, neurological diseases, valvular heart disease, malignancies, use of statins, skin infections and extensive cutaneous involvement were linked to poorer outcomes, while the use of topical corticosteroids was associated with increased overall survival. Limitations: This study lacks a control cohort to validate the obtained results. It was conducted in a retrospective manner in a single centre. In addition, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy was not performed in all patients. Conclusion: Beyond ageing and neurological comorbidities, the prognosis of bullous pemphigoid patients was significantly influenced by the presence of skin infections, valvular heart disease, use of statins and extensive cutaneous involvement. Topical corticosteroid treatment was associated with increased survival in these patients
RESUMO
Background: Severe, extensive, therapy resistant alopecia areata represents a clinical challenge. Systemic corticosteroids are a therapeutic tool that still needs to be evaluated. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in alopecia areata and to find prognostic factors for a favourable outcome. Methods: A total of 32 patients with severe multifocal alopecia areata (more than 40% scalp hair loss), alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis were treated with infusions of 500 mg methylprednisolone for 3 days every month for 3 consecutive months. The end point of the study was 12 months. Results: Of 32 patients, 26 (81.3%) reported a clinical response. Four patients (12.5%) showed complete hair regrowth, 6 patients (18.8%) showed >50% hair regrowth, ten (31.3%) had <50% hair regrowth, 6 (18.75%) were non responders, and another 6 patients (18.8%) had relapse after an initial regrowth. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients reporting at the first episode and those with multifocal disease had the best results. Conclusion: Methylprednisolone infusions represent a possible therapeutic option for patients with multifocal alopecia areata and those presenting with the first episode of the disease.