Epidemiology of pemphigus in south-western Iran: a 10-year retrospective study (1991-2000).

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus is a disease demonstrating an uneven geographic distribution. This is the first epidemiologic study of pemphigus in Iran.

METHODS

Data were collected from the files of all newly registered patients with pemphigus at the sole dermatologic referral center for south-western Iran located in the city of Shiraz, during the period 1991-2000. The data were analyzed with regard to age, sex, subtypes of pemphigus, clinical presentation, and season of onset.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mean incidence of the disease for the overall population in Shiraz was 0.67/10(5)/year. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.33. The mean age at onset of the disease was 38 years (range, 12-93 years). The disease was most common in the third to fifth decades (62.1% of the overall patients). Pemphigus vulgaris was the most commonly encountered type, followed by pemphigus foliaceus (87.7% and 9%, respectively). The first manifestations of the illness most often occurred during winter (30.8% of the patients).

CONCLUSIONS

The results reveal a high incidence of pemphigus vulgaris in south-western Iran compared with that encountered in other countries. Our patients also had a relatively young age at onset and a female predominance.