Epidemiology of pemphigus in Hamedan (west of Iran): A 10 year retrospective study (1995-2004)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features of pemphigus in Iran in a retrospective manner, and to compare the results with those reported elsewhere. Pemphigus is a group of rare, chronic, autoimmune, potentially fatal vesiculobullous diseases of the mucous membranes and skin. Clinical profile and epidemiologic characteristics varies in different parts of the world and there are only a few epidemiological studies of pemphigus in Iran. All newly registered patients with confirmed pemphigus admitted at the sole dermatology referral center for west of Iran located in Hamedan from April 1995 and March 2004 was evaluated, where the details includes; demographic variables, clinical presentation, treatments received and side effects of therapy. Two hundred new patients with pemphigus were diagnosed during the 10-year period. The average annual incidence rate was 1.6/100,000 (1.29-1.9 per 100000 inhabitants) inhabitants. The mean age of onset was 41.4 (male 44.7±3.3, female 38.2±3.2) with a male to female ratio of 1:1.04. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) was the most common variant (89%). Oral lesions were found in 79.5% of patients and it was the first manifestation in 60%. Mucosal involvement was found in 84.5% of the cases. Complications of therapy were seen in 13 patients (6.5%). The most common complication was increased blood sugar after steroid therapy which was seen in 3.5% of patients. Mortality rate was 1% (2 cases) which was due to sepsis. The annual incidence rate of pemphigus is 1.6 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Most common form was pemphigus vulgaris. It is more frequent in middle-aged people, with no sex predominance.