A retrospective analysis of patients with bullous pemphigoid treated with methotrexate.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate treatment with methotrexate in patients with bullous pemphigoid and to elucidate the reduced adverse effects compared with standard treatment with prednisone.

DESIGN:

Retrospective study (January 1, 1999-December 31, 2003).

SETTING:

The Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Karolinska University Hospital.

PATIENTS:

A total of 138 consecutive patients with bullous pemphigoid were included and were grouped according to the treatment they received: methotrexate, prednisone, a combination of both, or topical glucocorticoids (for mild disease).

RESULT:

Methotrexate was the most effective treatment, with only a few adverse effects and a tendency toward better survival rates in patients with moderate to severe disease.

CONCLUSION:

Methotrexate is an effective and safe drug and provides an excellent treatment option in patients with bullous pemphigoid.

• Authors: Petra Kjellman, Hanna Eriksson, Peter Berg
• Journal: Archives of dermatology (Arch Dermatol) Vol. 144 Issue 5 Pg. 612-6 (May 2008) ISSN: 1538-3652 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18490587 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Prednisone
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Methotrexate (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Pemphigoid, Bullous (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Prednisone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Remission Induction
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Analysis
• Treatment Outcome