A survey of bullous diseases in a Turkish university hospital: clinicoepidemiological characteristics and follow-up

Background/aim: Autoimmune bullous diseases, if left untreated, are life-threatening conditions affecting primarily skin and mucous membranes. These blistering disorders are characterized by epidermal or subepidermal detachment. Autoimmunity plays a key role in pathogenesis; therefore, immunosuppressive agents are the treatment of choice. The aim of this study is to document relative frequencies of different autoimmune bullous diseases, patient characteristics, treatment options, and side effects in patients presenting to our bullous skin disease center at Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty. Materials and methods: Medical files were examined retrospectively for all patients with autoimmune bullous diseases who were followed up between 2003 and 2019 at the Bullous Skin Disease Center at Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa. Results: A total of 346 patient files were examined. Pemphigus vulgaris was the most frequent autoimmune bullous disease, followed by bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus foliaceus, according to our study. There is a general female predominancy for all autoimmune bullous diseases. The most commonly preferred treatment options were high-dose daily corticosteroids. Conclusion: This retrospective study summarizes the patient characteristics, comorbidities, treatment choices, and side effects during 16 years of clinical practice.