Functional decline among bullous pemphigoid patients: A retrospective monocentric cohort study

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) affects older patients with numerous comorbidities. The impact of BP on patient autonomy remains poorly understood.

To assess the frequency and factors associated with functional decline (FD) in BP.

In this retrospective monocentric study, we selected patients aged ≥75 years with BP diagnosed between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2021 and followed for more than 3 months. We assessed activity limitation at diagnosis and included patients with no or mild activity limitation. We described FD and its associated factors at 6 weeks and 3 months. FD was qualified as moderate or severe. Age, comorbidities (CIRS-G score), BP characteristics at diagnosis (including palms and soles involvement) and hospitalization were collected. Factors associated with FD were investigated through univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Worsening of previous comorbidities or new comorbidities at Week 6 were collected.

One hundred and thirty-one patients were included (mean age 85 years), 75 (57.3%) had no activity limitation, and 56 (42.7%) a mild activity limitation at baseline. At Week 6, FD was observed in 44 (33.6%) patients, including 23 out of 75 (30.7%) with no activity limitation and 21 out of 56 (37.5%) with mild activity limitation at baseline. FD was moderate in 20 cases (45.5%) and severe in 24 (54.5%) and persisted at Month 3 in 37 (84%) patients. By multivariate analysis, factors associated with FD were a CIRS-G score >7, palms and soles involvement and anti-BP180 antibodies level. Fifty (38.2%) patients experienced a worsening of their pre-existing comorbidities or a new one.

FD is often observed in patients with BP, especially in those with severe symptoms, palms and soles involvement and comorbidities. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach involving geriatric assessments should be adopted to manage these patients.