eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Bullous Diseases

Pemphigus, IgA: Follow-up

Author: Lawrence Chan, MD, Department Head and Director of Skin Immunology Research, Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Microbiology/Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 24, 2008

Follow-up

Complications

  • Infection may occur secondary to open wounds from the blistering process or secondary to medications.
  • Malignancies may occur secondary to the chronic inflammatory process or secondary to medications.
  • Growth retardation is possible secondary to medications used during childhood.
  • Adrenal insufficiency may result secondary to chronic prednisone treatment.
  • Osteoporosis is a complication secondary to chronic prednisone treatment.

Prognosis

  • Unlike IgG-mediated pemphigus, as a group of diseases, IgA pemphigus usually exhibits a milder clinical phenotype. The prognosis usually is good according to the limited clinical data available.
  • IgA pemphigus is a superficial blistering disease and usually heals without scarring if treated properly.

Patient Education

  • Instruct patients with IgA pemphigus regarding the potential adverse effects of immunosuppressive treatment (eg, prednisone use). Adverse effects may include infection, malignancies, adrenal insufficiency, and osteoporosis.
  • Teach patients to recognize the symptoms and signs of adverse effects and to report them to the physician if noted.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to monitor severe adverse effects of systemic corticosteroids may result in bone fracture, adrenal suppression, development of diabetes, and other serious sequelae.
  • The Medscape Medical Malpractice and Legal Issues Resource Center may be a helpful resource.
 


More on Pemphigus, IgA

Overview: Pemphigus, IgA
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Pemphigus, IgA
Treatment & Medication: Pemphigus, IgA
Follow-up: Pemphigus, IgA
Multimedia: Pemphigus, IgA
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

IgA pemphigus, pemphigus IgA, pemphigus, intraepidermal neutrophilic IgA dermatosis, intercellular IgA vesiculopustular dermatosis, intercellular IgA dermatosis, intraepidermal IgA pustulosis, IgA pemphigus

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Lawrence Chan, MD, Department Head and Director of Skin Immunology Research, Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Microbiology/Immunology, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Lawrence Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Chicago Dermatological Society, Dermatology Foundation, Illinois State Medical Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Takeji Nishikawa, MD, Emeritus Professor, Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine; Director, Samoncho Dermatology Clinic; Managing Director, The Waksman Foundation of Japan Inc
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

David F Butler, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic
David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: 3M Pharmaceutical Grant/research funds Other; Graceway Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds Other

Managing Editor

Edward F Chan, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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