engleski

Autoimmune blistering diseases in Croatia

Autoimmune blistering diseases encompasses a group of heterogenous disorders of skin and/or mucous membranes, characterized by blister formation, which are caused by circulating autoantibodies directed against different epidermal or basement membrane antigens. Classification of these diseases is based on the level of separation. There are two major subgroups: intraepidermal (pemphigus) group and subepidermal (pemphigoid) group, each of which contain different clinical variants. Autoimmune bullous diseases are rare disorders with severe morbidity and high mortality if untreated. The incidence of pemphigus vulgaris, the most frequent disease of intraepidermal group, has been estimated to range from 1 to 5 newly diagnosed cases per one million inhabitants per year. Bullous pemphigoid, as the most frequent disease of all autoimmune bullous diseases, has estimated incidence from 5 to 7 newly diagnosed cases per one million inhabitants per year. Ministry of science of the Republic of Croatia supported the study in which one of the goals is to provide epidemiologic data about autoimmune blistering diseases in Croatia. In this group of diseases special attention should be paid to early diagnosis and early start of therapy what gives better prognosis for the patient. Problem in investigation of diagnosis and therapy of these diseases is small number of patients and therefore lack of randomized studies. Possible solution for solving this problem are multicentric studies with aim to determine the incidence of these diseases, genetic predisposition and risk factors but also give more reliable therapeutic options for our patient what should be the main goal for us as physicians.

autoimmune blistering diseases; Croatia

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