Epidemiologic Study of 20 Cases of Pemphigus at Hospital Clinico Universitario Virgen de laVictoria de Malaga, Spain

Introduction: Pemphigus comprises a group of autoimmune blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. Its clinical and epidemiologic features vary according to geographic location and ethnic background. Objective: An exhaustive search of the literature reveals very few reports of the epidemiology of pemphigus in setting. Our aim, thus, was to conduct a retrospective study of the clinical and epidemiologic features of pemphigus at a secondary care hospital in Malaga, Spain. Material and methods: We studied 20 patients diagnosed with pemphigus in our department over a period of 13 years (January 1995 to January 2008). Results: We analyzed a large variety of clinical and epidemiologic parameters including sex; age; type of pemphigus; time since onset; associated symptoms; type, morphology, and location of lesions at the time of diagnosis; extent of skin and mucosal involvement; treatment received; treatment-related adverse effects and complications; number of hospital admissions; and patient outcome. Conclusions: Except for minor differences, our results are in agreement with published data on pemphigus regarding sex, age, and clinical presentation. According to our results, male sex is a predictor of poor prognosis as it is associated with poorer response to treatment and a higher rate of adverse effects and hospital admission. (C) 2009 Elsevier Espana, S.L. and AEDV. All rights reserved.