Abstract

Background .Our purpose was to review the course and management of pemphigus treated at a tertiary care center in the southeastern United States.

Methods. We describe 30 patients seen at the Emory Clinic from January 1992 to July 1999.

Results. Equal numbers of men and women from different ethnic backgrounds were affected. Pemphigus vulgaris was more common than pemphigus foliaceous. Pain, sore throat, and pruritus were the most common presenting symptoms. The mean diagnostic delay was 6 months in patients with pemphigus foliaceous and 4.5 months in patients with pemphigus vulgaris. Hospitalization was required in 47% of patients. Adjuvant therapy in addition to systemic orticosteroids was required in 93%. Herpes gingivostomatitis occurred in 33%. Clinical or total remission was obtained in 33%.

Conclusions. Pemphigus occurs in multiple ethnic groups in the southeastern United States. Appropriate treatment is frequently delayed by lack of prompt diagnosis. The complications of pemphigus and its therapy were significant.