Persistent Skin Symptoms after Diagnosis and on a Long-term Gluten-free Diet in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with prolonged (i.e. >2 years) and ongoing skin symptoms in 237 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Data were gathered from medical records and via questionnaires. Among patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, 38% had prolonged symptoms after diagnosis, and 14% had ongoing skin symptoms at follow-up (median duration of gluten-free diet 24 years). A severe rash at diagnosis was associated with both prolonged and ongoing cutaneous symptoms. In addition, patients with dermatitis herpetiformis with ongoing skin symptoms at follow-up had been on the dietary treatment for a shorter time (median duration 16 vs 25 years) and were less often on a strict diet (53% vs 78%) compared with patients with dermatitis herpetiformis without ongoing skin symptoms.PMID:34490466 | DOI:10.2340/00015555-3914

Source: Acta Derm Venereol A... - September 7, 2021 Category: Dermatology Authors: Camilla Pasternack Kaisa Hervonen Eriika Mansikka Timo Reunala Pekka Collin Katri Kaukinen Teea Salmi Source Type: research