Pemphigus Herpetiformis Follow-up

  • Author: Lawrence S Chan, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 9, 2010
 

Further Inpatient Care

The disease activities of pemphigus herpetiformis rarely require hospitalization. In a few patients, short-term hospitalization (< 10 d) may be helpful.

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Further Outpatient Care

The disease activities of pemphigus herpetiformis range from mild to moderate. During the active disease period, provide follow-up care for patients on a monthly outpatient basis. These visits ensure that (1) patients are responding clinically to prescribed medications and (2) patients experience no serious adverse effects that require a change of medications. Typically, follow-up visits are not needed for patients in clinical remission and not on treatment.

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Deterrence/Prevention

For pemphigus herpetiformis patients who are treated with systemic corticosteroid for longer than 1 month, combined calcium and vitamin D supplements should be instituted to prevent osteoporosis. The dosage and frequency of these supplements are stated in the 1996 recommendations established by the American College of Rheumatology Task Force.[17]

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Prognosis

The prognosis for pemphigus herpetiformis usually is excellent.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Lawrence S Chan, MD  Dr Orville J Stone Professor of Dermatology, Head, Department of Dermatology, University of Illinois College of Medicine

Lawrence S Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Chicago Dermatological Society, Dermatology Foundation, Illinois State Medical Society, Microcirculatory Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Smeena Khan, MD  Private Practice, Adult and Pediatric Dermatology Associates

Smeena Khan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio

Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M 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.

References

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Histopathologic examination of a blister lesion obtained from a patient with pemphigus herpetiformis shows a subcorneal blistering process, acantholysis, and neutrophilic infiltrate.
Direct immunofluorescence microscopy performed on a skin biopsy specimen obtained from a patient with pemphigus herpetiformis detects immunoglobulin G deposits on the epithelial cell surfaces but sparing the basal layers.
 
 
 
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