Risk of Serious Infections in Patients with Bullous Pemphigoid: A Population-based Cohort Study

Tsung Hsien Chang, Chun Ying Wu, Yun Ting Chang, Ying Syuan Lyu, Chen Yi Wu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Patients with bullous pemphigoid are susceptible to serious infections, which are the leading cause of death in these patients. The aims of this population-based cohort study were to investigate the incidence and spectrum of serious infections in patients with bullous pemphigoid and to identify associated risk factors. The outcome measure was any infection requiring hospita-lization. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using subdistribution hazard models. In total, 12,300 patients with bullous pemphigoid and 49,200 matched controls were identified through the National Health Insurance Research Database in Tai-wan. Within 2 years of bullous pemphigoid diagnosis, 5,006 (40.7%) patients developed serious infections, with an incidence of 385.5/1,000 person-years. Patients with bullous pemphigoid were twice as likely to develop serious infections as controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.01; 95% confidence interval 1.92–2.10). Systemic corticosteroid use was the strongest risk fac-tor, resulting in a 2-fold increase in the risk for serious infections. Other independent risk factors were advanced age, female sex, low income, and certain comorbidities. In conclusion, this study demonstrated an increased risk of serious infections following a diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. Prophylaxis of serious infections through active intervention with the risk factors may be essential in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with bullous pemphigoid.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberadv5329
JournalActa Dermato-Venereologica
Volume103
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • bullous pemphigoid
  • cohort studies
  • infections
  • pneumonia
  • sepsis
  • vesiculobullous skin disease

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