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 language | English |
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Article number | adv00713 |
Journal | Acta Dermato-Venereologica |
Volume | 102 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Publication type | A1 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