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

Camilla Pasternack, Kaisa Hervonen, Eriika Mansikka, Timo Reunala, Katri Kaukinen, Teea Salmi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)
    14 Downloads (Pure)

    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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