Pemphigoid, Bullous
Basics
Description
- Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic, acquired autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin disorder caused by linear deposition of autoantibodies against the epithelial basal membrane zone.
- Pruritic, tense, symmetric, localized, widespread bullae, or urticarial plaques
- Flexural surface (80%), axillary, inguinal folds, and abdomen (20%)
- Oral lesions develop in 10–20% of cases, rarely affecting mucosae of eyes, nose, pharynx, and anogenital zones.
Epidemiology
- Most common autoimmune blistering disease
- Typical between 60 and 80 years old, but juvenile BP can occur
- Affects both females and males, possibly with higher incidence in females
- No association with race or geographic location
Incidence
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Autoantibodies react against hemidesmosomal proteins: the 230-kDa BP antigen (BPAg1) within basal keratinocytes and 180-kDa (BPAg2 or type XVII collagen) in the basement membrane zone (BMZ).
- IgG is usually the predominant autoantibody leading to C3 complement activation, recruitment of inflammatory cells, and liberation of proteolytic enzymes that break down the dermoepidermal junction.
- The noncollagenous 16A domain (NC16A) located at the membrane proximal region of BP180 is considered the major target epitope and is recognized in 80–90% of BP patients.
- It has recently been shown that IgE antibodies correlate with a severe form of BP, and those who test positive for IgE anti-BP180 antibodies required longer duration for remission and therapy.
Genetics
- Certain class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles DQB1*0301 predominate in the United States.
- Expression of this allele on antigen-presenting cells is thought to be involved in the presentation to autoreactive T cells in patients with BP.
- Molecular mimicry has been proposed as a mechanism by which exogenous agents may trigger the immune response.
Risk Factors
- Advanced age
- Associated with autoimmune disorders and inflammatory dermatoses like lichen planus, psoriasis, and other forms of bullous disease
- Increased risk in patients with neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, stroke, Parkinson disease, demyelinating disorders, epilepsy, depression, and schizophrenia (3)
- Although drug-induced BP is rare, chronic intake of neuroleptics, aldosterone antagonists, furosemide, dopaminergic drugs, opioids, salicylates, NSAIDs, and phenacetin have been associated.
- Less frequent: trauma, burns, surgical scars, UV radiation, and x-ray therapy
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Underlying malignancy can be found in patients with BP, but it may be age related, and the correlation is marginal.
- Several autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, inflammatory dermatoses–like psoriasis, and lichen planus have been reported but are rare.
- Increased risk of septicemia, pneumonia, UTI, and pulmonary embolism (3)
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Pemphigoid, Bullous." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116440/2.3/Pemphigoid_Bullous.
Pemphigoid, Bullous. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116440/2.3/Pemphigoid_Bullous. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Pemphigoid, Bullous. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116440/2.3/Pemphigoid_Bullous
Pemphigoid, Bullous [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 December 10]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116440/2.3/Pemphigoid_Bullous.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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