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Nutritional status in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis
D J Gawkrodger1, A Ferguson, R S Barnetson
1Department of Dermatology, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary, UK.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Nutritional deficiencies are uncommon in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) patients, despite intestinal issues. Drug side effects, particularly from dapsone or sulfapyridine, are more likely to cause abnormal lab results in DH.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Dermatology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an autoimmune skin condition often associated with celiac disease and potential gastrointestinal malabsorption.
- Assessing nutritional status in DH patients is crucial for understanding disease impact and treatment complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional status of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis.
- To determine the prevalence of malabsorption and malnutrition in DH.
- To differentiate between nutritional deficiencies and drug-induced abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Nutritional status assessment in 86 DH patients using anthropometric measurements.
- Hematological and biochemical laboratory tests were performed.
- Comparison with control groups and analysis of drug-associated changes.
Main Results:
- Anthropometric measurements were comparable to controls; only 6 patients showed nutritional deficiency-related abnormalities.
- Drug-associated hematological/biochemical changes were frequent (36/55), including hemolytic anemia and macrocytosis.
- Only two patients had anemias linked to malabsorption (iron or folate deficiency).
Conclusions:
- Nutritional deficiencies are not prevalent in DH patients, despite the common presence of enteropathy.
- Drug-induced abnormalities, especially from dapsone or sulfapyridine, are more common than nutritional deficiencies.
- Careful monitoring for drug side effects is essential in DH management.