Pemphigus vulgaris in Iran: epidemiology and clinical profile

Abstract

Background: Although the clinical profile of pemphigus vulgaris is generally well characterized, the epidemiologic differences are important but not widely evaluated. This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and clinical profile of pemphigus patients in a large central province of Iran.

Methods: Demographic variables, clinical manifestations, and side effects of treatment in 188 patients in a 10-year period were studied.

Results: The annual incidence rate of pemphigus vulgaris was 5/100,000, with a 1.6:1 ratio of incidence in women compared with men. The mean age of onset was 41.1+/-13.7 years. In 74% of patients, the initial presentation of the disease was mucosal involvement, and in the remaining 26% the disease initially presented on the skin.

Conclusions: Iranian patients have a relatively young age of onset of pemphigus and a higher incidence among women than men, which may reflect geographic, cultural, dietetic, or racial differences in the clinical and biologic behavior of the disease.