Ocular involvement in pemphigus vulgaris

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Dermatology
• Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disorder impacting skin and mucous membranes.
• Ocular manifestations of PV are known but lack defined prevalence and characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence, clinical types, and epidemiological trends of ocular involvement in Iranian PV patients.
• To investigate the relationship between ocular involvement and PV disease activity.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cross-sectional study involving 103 patients with Pemphigus vulgaris.
• Data collection on ocular symptoms, clinical findings, and disease activity.

Main Results:

• Ocular involvement was observed in 16.5% of PV patients.
• Conjunctivitis (52.9%) and palpebral conjunctival erosion (41.2%) were the most common ocular manifestations.
• Eye irritation and redness were the most frequent symptoms (76.5% each).
• No significant correlation was found between ocular involvement and PV disease activity.
• Mucoid discharge was more prevalent in patients with conjunctival erosions (P=0.038).

Conclusions:

• Ocular involvement is a notable complication in Pemphigus vulgaris, affecting 16.5% of patients.
• The occurrence of ocular disease is independent of PV disease activity or extent.
• Conjunctivitis is the most frequent ocular manifestation, with palpebral conjunctival erosion being more common than previously reported.