{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Real-life impact of immunologic tests to predict relapse after treatment cessation in patients with bullous pemphigoid: A French multicenter retrospective study.
{Author}: Battesti G;Garcia C;Viguier M;Marchal V;Castel M;Joly P;Ledard AP;Konstantinou MP;Seta V;Cordel N;Duvert-Lehembre S;Tancrède-Bohin E;Belmondo T;Ingen-Housz-Oro S;d'Incan M;
{Journal}: J Am Acad Dermatol
{Volume}: 86
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: 06 2022
{Factor}: 15.487
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.01.016
{Abstract}: A high level of anti-BP180 antibodies on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a persistent positive direct immunofluorescence at the end of treatment (immunologic tests, [ITs]) are predictors of relapse after treatment cessation (TC) in patients with bullous pemphigoid.<BR>To evaluate the real-life impact of the immunologic-based decision of TC on the 3- and 6-month relapse rates after TC in bullous pemphigoid.<BR>Retrospective multicentric study included patients followed almost 6 months after TC. Patients were classified according to whether the TC decision was in accordance with the results of ITs performed during the 3 months before TC, despite the results of ITs or without ITs performed.<BR>We included 238 patients. Three months after TC, 36 patients showed relapse: 14 of 95 patients with TC in accordance with IT results (14.7%); 5 of 21 with TC despite ITs (23.8%); and 17 of 122 with TC without ITs (13.9%; P = .5). Six months after TC, the relapse rate was 18.9%, 28.6%, and 18.9% (P = .56), respectively, in the 3 groups.<BR>The retrospective design and the limited follow up.<BR>In real-life practice, in bullous pemphigoid, the 3- and 6-month relapse rates were not significantly reduced with TC decision based on results of ITs as compared with a classic clinical-based decision.