Sunlight and air temperature affect autoantibody activity and skin involvement of bullous pemphigoid.

BACKGROUND AND

DESIGN

Sunlight and air temperature are environmental parameters with considerable influence upon autoimmunity. Their impact on idiopathic bullous pemphigoid (BP) was studied 1) in a prospective series of 27 patients with regard to clinical activity and 2) in a retrospective series of 232 cases during a 7-year period with regard to immunoserology.

RESULTS

Skin involvement and the onset of disease showed an immediate and cumulative pattern of response to sunlight and air temperature. Immunoserologic analysis showed a strong correlation of autoantibody expressivity with these two environmental measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

This study verifies previous sporadic clinical and experimental data concerning the influence of environmental factors on BP. Accordingly, preventive measures against exposure to sunlight and high temperature are recommended.