Characterizing the Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Disorders from 1993 through 2010: a NAMCS Study

Autoimmune blistering diseases, though uncommon, are associated with considerable morbidity. There is no established therapeutic adder for the treatment of blistering disorders. Data from the ational Ambulatory Medical Care survey from 1993 to 2010 was nalyzed to determine the number of visits for blistering iseases, patient demographics, the specialty of treating hysicians, and the most frequently prescribed treatments. atients with autoimmune blistering disorders were primarily lderly, female, and non-Hispanic white. The majority of patients ere managed by dermatologists. There has been no significant hange in the number of patients diagnosed with bullous diseases ver the observed time period. Oral prednisone was the primary reatment prescribed for patients with both bullous pemphigoid and emphigus. Though prednisone is the primary medication prescribed or patients with blistering disorders, immunosuppressive herapies are associated with increased morbidity in elderly atients. Alternative therapies should be considered for the reatment of autoimmune bullous disorders when feasible taking nto account the associated risks and side effect profile of these edications.