Diagnostic relevance of direct immunofluorescence in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to determine the diagnostic value of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (ocular MMP), taking into account immunofluorescence patterns and biopsy sites.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

DIF results and medical records of 54 patients with a suspected diagnosis of ocular MMP were reviewed.

RESULTS

There was an overall prevalence of ocular MMP in 70.4 % of cases. Linear deposition of IgA, IgG, or C3 showed a high positive predictive value (84-100 %). Sensitivity and negative predictive value of IgG, IgM, IgG, and C3 in DIF were higher in cutaneous samples than in conjunctival biopsies, thus yielding a higher diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity of DIF in ocular MMP seems to be lower than in bullous pemphigoid.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic value of DIF in the workup of ocular MMP was confirmed. However, biopsies taken from non-conjunctival, cutaneous tissue appear to yield more accurate results.