Abstract
Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a chronic, progressive, blinding, autoimmune disease that scars mucous membranes. We studied the long-term outcome in 104 consecutive patients (average follow-up: 4 years) to determine whether complete remission could be achieved following a course of treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. We found that prolonged periods of remission off therapy are maintained in about one third of OCP patients. Follow-up must be continued for life as relapse occurs in approximately one third of cases. Those who relapsed regained disease control readily upon reinstitution of therapy and did not deteriorate to more advanced cicatrization. Sex, age, initial degree of inflammation and the incidence of extraocular involvement did not bear a prognostic significance. The mechanism which underlies the differing responses to therapy is not yet known.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Abbreviations
- BMZ:
-
basement membrane zone
- CP:
-
cicatricial pemphigoid
- OCP:
-
ocular cicatricial pemphigoid
- OD:
-
right eye
- OS:
-
left eye
References
Foster CS. Cicatricial pemphigoid. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 1986; 84: 527–663.
Mondino BJ. Cicatricial pemphigoid and erythema multiforme. Ophthalmol 1990; 97: 939–52.
Mondino BJ, Brown SI. Immunosuppressive therapy in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Am J Ophthalmol 1983; 96: 453–59.
Dave VK, Vichers CFH. Azathioprine in the treatment of mucocutaneous pemphigoid. Br J Dermatol 1974; 90: 183–86.
Brody HJ, Pirozzi DJ. Benign mucous membrane pemphigoid: Response to therapy with cyclophosphamide. Arch Dermatol 1977; 113: 1598–99.
Rogers RS III, Seehafer JR, Perry HO. Treatment of cicatricial (benign mucous membrane) pemphigoid with Dapsone. J Am Acad Dermatol 1982; 6: 215–23.
Foster CS, Wilson LA, Ekins MB. Immunosuppressive therapy for progressive ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Ophthalmol 1982; 89: 340–43.
Tauber J, Foster CS. Systemic chemotherapy for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Cornea 1990.
Hardy KM, Perry HO, Pingree GC, et al. Benign mucous membrane pemphigoid. Arch Dermatol 1971; 104: 467–475.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Foster, C.S., Neumann, R. & Tauber, J. Long term results of systemic chemotherapy for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Doc Ophthalmol 82, 223–229 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160769
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00160769