Pemphigus: a 20-year review of 107 patients treated with corticosteroids

Abstract

Consecutive cases [107] of pemphigus were reviewed. The mortality for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus vegetans was 46% between 1949-1959 and 24% between 1960-1970. The overall mortality for all types of pemphigus was 32%. In the corticosteroid era, complications of therapy were the most frequent causes of death. Mortality and morbidity closely correlated with the corticosteroid dosage used to attain control. This dosage proved to be variable and could not be predicted at the outset in any given patient.