Autoimmune blistering disorders and cardiovascular risks: A population-based cohort study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Autoimmune blistering disorders (ABDs) are associated with potential cardiovascular risks, though research is limited.
• Understanding this link is crucial for comprehensive patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between ABDs and the risk of major cardiovascular outcomes.
• Specifically examining atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, venous thromboembolism, and cardiovascular death.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort study in Denmark (1996-2021) included 3,322 patients with ABDs.
• A comparison group of 33,195 individuals from the general population, matched for age and sex, was utilized.

Main Results:

• Patients with ABDs exhibited significantly higher 1-year risks for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, venous thromboembolism, and cardiovascular death compared to controls.
• Elevated risks persisted for most outcomes over 10 years.
• Hazard ratios indicated substantial increases in risk for cardiovascular death (2.01) and venous thromboembolism (1.87).

Conclusions:

• Patients diagnosed with autoimmune blistering disorders face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
• This increased risk was observed in both pemphigus and pemphigoid subtypes.
• Findings may be most applicable to patients without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.