CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF VESICULOBULLOUS DISORDERS - A TWO YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders constitute a diverse category of skin ailments where autoantibodies target cell adhesion molecules, crucial for maintaining the integrity of the skin and oral mucosa. Clinically, these disorders are identified by the presence of vesicles, bullae, or erosions on the skin and/or mucosa, depending on the specific antibodies involved. They are categorized as intraepidermal or subepidermal based on the location of bulla. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) stands out as the most prevalent among intraepidermal bullous disorders, while bullous pemphigoid (BP) claims the top spot among subepidermal bullous disorders. Despite their global occurrence, the incidence exhibits geographical variability. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders, focusing on those attending a tertiary care teaching hospital.
Methods: This is a hospital based Retrospective observational study. Medical records of all patients with Autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders during the study period from January 2022 to December 2023 were collected and various clinical and dempographic factors were tabulated, compiled and analysed. Results: Out of the 63 cases studied, intraepidermal autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders
accounted for 58.7% of cases, and subepidermal autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders accounted for 41.2% of cases. Out of the 63 cases, 36 patients (57.14%) were females, and 27 patients(42.8%) were males with a M:F ratio of 1:1.3.Majority of the patients were in the age group 41-60years(49.2%), followed by 21-40years (28.5%).
Conclusion: Among intraepidermal autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders, Pemphigus vulgaris emerged as the predominant condition, while among subepidermal autoimmune vesiculobullous disorders, Bullous pemphigoid claimed the highest prevalence.