Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis: Update and insights

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) is rare autoimmune hypersensitivity reaction to the fluctuations of endogenous progesterone during a woman's menstrual cycle. It has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations including urticaria, eczema and vesiculobullous eruptions. The disease course depends on treatment modality. The pathogenic mechanisms of APD remain to be elucidated.

We aim to review the literature on APD and evaluate the different theories of pathogenesis and treatments for this condition.

A review of the English literature on APD was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE.

89 patients are included in this review. Initial symptom development in association with the menstrual cycle was reported in 65 (73%) patients. In some patients, it occurred shortly after hormone therapy (8.9%) or in relation to a pregnancy (14.6%). Associated factors were not defined in three patients (3.4%). Nearly 45% had a history of exposure to exogenous progesterone. Diagnosis of APD was usually confirmed with an intradermal progesterone sensitivity test. The goal of treatment was to suppress progesterone secretion through anovulation. Some cases were controlled with oral contraceptives or conjugated estrogen, while some patients had complete resolution post-hysterectomy.

The wide spectrum of clinical presentations, histology, and response to therapy would suggest that there are multiple subsets in APD. The increase in the levels of progesterone may also influence the clinical profile and the corresponding immunological response. Further research on the pathogenesis of APD is required to provide a satisfactory treatment modality.