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ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE BIOLOGIC BEHAVIOR OF PATTERNS OF PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS: EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACH
Author(s) -
KYRIAKIS KYRIAKOS P.,
VARELTZIDIS ANTHONY G.,
TOSCA ANDRONIKI D.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1995.tb01563.x
Subject(s) - pemphigus vulgaris , medicine , pemphigus , serology , disease , epidemiology , immunology , pathogenesis , retrospective cohort study , autoimmune disease , dermatology , environmental health , antibody
Background . Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disorder, in which environmental factors seem to play a role, both in the pathogenesis and the activity of the disease. The purpose of the study was to correlate the biologic activity of pemphigus vulgaris with sun exposure and air temperature. Methods . An epidemiologic study was carried out, analyzing results of serology, skin involvement, and proportional morbidity rates, related to sun exposure and air temperature. The study was based on retrospective and prospective series of patients. All data were evaluated in a yearly seasonal distribution. Results . Strong correlations were shown between climatologic data and pemphigus activity in the populations studied. Conclusions . Environmental factors have a significant impact on the disease expression. This stresses the necessity of preventive measures against exposure to sun and high temperature.