Sex-differences in Gluten-free Dietary Adherence and Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Long-term Treated Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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Abstract

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a blistering autoimmune skin disease, and a cutaneous manifestation of coeli-ac disease. The burden of coeliac disease is increased especially in females, but studies concerning sex differences in patients with long-term treated dermatitis herpetiformis are scarce. This questionnaire study compared adherence to a gluten-free diet, clinical symptoms and well-being between females and males in a cohort of 237 long-term treated (median 24 years) patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Females had better adherence to a gluten-free diet (p = 0.022) and they used dapsone significantly less often at the time of the study than did males (4% vs 13%, p = 0.017). The occurrence of skin symptoms was equal in both sexes, but dermatological quality of life was lower in females (p = 0.024), and gastrointestinal symptoms were more severe among females with dermatitis her-petiformis than among males (p = 0.027). In conclusi-on, long-term treated female patients with dermatitis herpetiformis have better adherence to a gluten-free diet, but they also experience more severe clinical symptoms compared with males.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberadv00713
JournalACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA
Volume102
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • dermatitis herpetiformis
  • gastrointestinal symptoms
  • gluten-free diet
  • quality of life
  • sex differences

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 2

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology

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