Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Technique of Conjunctival Biopsy and Direct Immunofluorescence for Diagnosing Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Published on: June 17, 2025
A population-based study of acute medical conditions associated with bullous pemphigoid
S M Langan1, R Hubbard, K Fleming
1Centre of Evidence-based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. sinead.langan@nottingham.ac.uk
Background:
Bullous pemphigoid is associated with poorly understood dramatically increased early mortality rates.
Objectives:
To assess the incidence of acute events predisposing to early mortality.
Methods:
Computerized medical records from the Health Improvement Network, a large population-based U.K. general practice database, were used to conduct a cohort analysis. Outcome measures were incidence rates of myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia and sepsis compared with a matched control population.
Results:
People with bullous pemphigoid were three times as likely to develop pneumonia, adjusted rate ratio 2.94 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.01-4.31] or pulmonary embolism, adjusted rate ratio 3.12 (95% CI 1.37-7.12) compared with matched controls. No statistically significant increase was seen for myocardial infarction, adjusted rate ratio 1.24 (95% CI 0.66-2.33), or sepsis, adjusted rate ratio 2.02 (95% CI 0.78-5.21).
Conclusions:
The risk of pulmonary embolism and pneumonia is increased following a diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. It may be possible to reduce associated mortality through considering prophylaxis with either antithromboembolic measures or antibiotic therapy and vaccination.
