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Comorbidities of bullous pemphigoid in a Finnish cohort

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Background

The incidence of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is increasing in Finland.

Objectives

To investigate the clinical presentation, comorbidities, and medications in a cohort of Finnish patients with confirmed BP managed in a university hospital setting.

Materials & Methods

An observational retrospective study of all consecutive patients diagnosed with BP in 2012-2013 at the Department of dermatology, HUCH. The prevalence of the most common comorbidities was compared to that in a sample population aged over 30 years.

Results

Seventy patients were included (mean age: 77 years at diagnosis). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (44%), type 2 diabetes (34%), and ischaemic heart disease (26%). Almost half of the cohort had a neurological condition (46%). A statistically significant association was identified between BP and a past history of malignancies (17%; p<0.001), type 2 diabetes (24%; p<0.001), and chronic obstructive lung disorder (COPD) (10%; p=0.004), compared to an age-matched control group. The most common standard drugs were statins, beta-blockers, and diuretics. In total, 83% of the patients with type 2 diabetes took anti-diabetic treatments, mainly metformin (80%) and gliptins (55%).

Conclusions

Significant associations were identified between BP and COPD, type 2 diabetes, and a past history of malignancy, compared to the general population. In this study, the specific role of some medications, such as gliptins, may account for the onset of BP in diabetic type 2 patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venereology, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland

    Anna Pankakoski, Annamari Ranki & Nicolas Kluger

  2. Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Harri Sintonen

Authors
  1. Anna Pankakoski
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  2. Harri Sintonen
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  3. Annamari Ranki
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  4. Nicolas Kluger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolas Kluger.

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Pankakoski, A., Sintonen, H., Ranki, A. et al. Comorbidities of bullous pemphigoid in a Finnish cohort. Eur J Dermatol 28, 157–161 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2018.3243

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2018.3243

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