Pemphigus: A Survey of 85 Patients Between 1970 and 1974

A survey was made of 85 cases of pemphigus seen at the dermatology departments of 11 Japanese universities from 1970 to 1974. The overall mortality for all types of pemphigus was 8%. The mortality from pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus vegetans treated with systemic corticosteroids was 11%. An analysis of the data indicated that 88% of patients with pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus vegetans were controlled with 100mg of a prednisone equivalent or less daily, and supported the view that both mortality and incidence of therapy complications closely correlate with the maximum daily dose of steroids required to bring about remission. The suggestion is that in the treatment of pemphigus better results may be obtained with moderate rather than high doses of steroid.