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The timing pattern in which dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP4i) confer the risk of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is unknown. To investigate the odds of BP following exposure to DPP4i and to perform a duration-response analysis evaluating the risk of BP in relation to the duration of exposure to the culprit drug. A population-based nested case–control study was performed comparing diabetic patients with BP (n = 1458) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched diabetic control subjects (n = 6051) with respect to the prevalence of exposure to DPP4i. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression. Overall exposure to DPP4i was associated with an 80% increase in the odds of subsequent BP (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.46–2.08; P P P P P = 0.011). Relative to other diabetic patients with BP, patients with DPP4i-associated BP were more likely to be admitted to inpatient dermatologic wards (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.30–2.13; P P = 0.006). DPP4i should be suspected as a predisposing factor for BP even numerous years after the drug initiation.

Although Alopecia areata (AA) has been found to be associated with psychological distress, the scope and nature of this association has not been fully delineated. The current study sought to examine the association of AA with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, utilizing a large-scale matched controlled cohort design. Patients suffering from AA (n = 41,055) were matched to control cases (n = 41,055) by age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). The prevalence of the four major mental disorders was assessed while stratifying the sample by age and sex, and after adjusting for marital status, smoking, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes. Data were accessed via the Clalit Health Services (CHS) database, a comprehensive health registry utilized by the largest managed healthcare company in Israel. Anxiety was independently and positively associated with AA (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13–1.31, p

The association between bullous pemphigoid (BP) and melanoma is yet to be investigated. We aimed to assess assess the bidirectional association between BP and melanoma and to delineate the epidemiological features of patients with both diagnoses. A population-based cohort study was performed comparing BP patients (n = 3924) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects (n = 19,280) with regard to incident cases of melanoma. A case–control design was additionally adopted to estimate the risk of BP in individuals with a preexisting diagnosis of melanoma. The prevalence of preexisting melanoma was higher in patients with BP than in control subjects (1.5% vs. 1.0%, respectively; P = 0.004). A history of melanoma confers a 50% increase in the risk of subsequent BP (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.14–2.06). This risk was higher among males (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.09–2.54) and individuals older than 80 years (OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.11–2.38), and persisted after adjustment for multiple putative confounders including PD-1/PDL-1 antagonists (adjusted OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.14–2.06). Conversely, the risk of melanoma among patients with BP was slightly elevated, but did not reach the level of statistical significance (adjusted HR 1.13; 95% CI 0.73–1.74). Patients with a dual diagnosis of BP and melanoma were older at the onset of BP and had lower body mass index. A history of melanoma is associated with a 50% increase in the incidence of subsequent BP. Physicians managing patients with both conditions should be aware of this association. Further research is warranted to reveal the underlying mechanism of these findings.

The association between acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is yet to be investigated. To determine the link between AKN and HS using a large computerized health maintenance database. A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the prevalence of HS in patients with AKN and in control participants matched by age, sex, and ethnicity. A total of 2677 participants with AKN and 13,190 control participants were studied. An increased prevalence of HS was observed in the AKN group compared to the control group (1.0% vs. 0.3%, respectively; OR, 3.6; 95% CI 2.2–5.8; P

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a dermatological disease associated with significant impairment of overall quality of life as well as psychological distress. Previous studies have demonstrated significant comorbidity between CSU and a wide range of mental illnesses. In this study we aimed to focus on the association between CSU and anxiety and depression, using an optimized matched controlled design. A nationwide matched control study was conducted using the Clalit Health Services (CHS) database. The study included 12,539 CSU patients and 60,510 age and sex matched controls. Three multiple logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between CSU and anxiety and depression, while adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and smoking status. A higher frequency of anxiety and depression was found in CSU patients compared to that in controls (anxiety frequency of 9.6% vs. 5.7%, p

A recent study of comorbidities in hospitalized pemphigus patients in the United States has demonstrated a significant association of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and pemphigus, but this association has not been firmly established in other populations. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HS in patients with pemphigus and compare with control subjects. Regression analysis was performed to obtain ORs, and 95% CIs, to evaluate the prevalence between pemphigus patients and controls matched by age, sex, and ethnicity. Among the patients included in the study, 1985 patients had pemphigus and 9874 were control subjects. The average age of presentation of pemphigus was 72.1 ± 18.5 and the group was comprised of 59.8% females. Overall, the pemphigus group had lower rates of smoking (25.7% vs. 27.9%; P = 0.045). The prevalence of HS was greater in patients with pemphigus than in control subjects (OR 4.98; 95% CI 1.01–24.69; P

The association of vitiligo with psoriasis is inconsistent in the current literature.To assess the bidirectional association between vitiligo and psoriasis.A population-based study was performed to compare vitiligo patients (n = 20,851) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects (n = 102,475) regarding the incidence of new-onset and the prevalence of preexisting psoriasis. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by cox regression and logistic regression, respectively.The incidence rate of new-onset psoriasis was estimated at 7.9 (95% CI 6.4-9.7) and 4.7 (95% CI 4.1-5.3) cases per 10,000 person-years among patients with vitiligo and controls, respectively. Patients with vitiligo experienced an increased risk of psoriasis (fully-adjusted HR 1.71; 95% CI 1.35-2.17; P 0.001). On the other hand, the odds of vitiligo were only marginally elevated among patients with preexisting psoriasis (fully-adjusted OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.01-1.40; P = 0.051). Compared to other patients with vitiligo, those with vitiligo and comorbid psoriasis were older at the onset of the disease and had a greater prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities.A diagnosis of vitiligo predisposes individuals to develop subsequent psoriasis. Clinicians managing dermatologic patients ought to be aware of this comorbidity. Further research is required to explicate the pathomechanism underlying this epidemiological observation.

Previous studies have identified an association between myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). To evaluate the risk and prognostic outcomes of MI, CVA, and PVD in patients with HS. A population-based retrospective cohort study using the computerized database of Clalit Health Services (CHS), the largest managed care organization in Israel, was conducted to compare the incidence of MI, CVA, and PVD among patients with HS (N = 6779) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects (N = 33,260). Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by multivariate Cox regression analysis. The overall incidence rates of MI, CVA, and PVD were estimated at 2.9 (2.3-3.4), 1.3 (0.9-1.7), and 0.8 (0.6-1.1) per 1000 person-year, respectively. Patients with HS were at an increased risk of developing MI (fully-adjusted HR 1.33; 95% CI 1.04-1.68; P = 0.021), but the risk of CVA (fully-adjusted HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.59-1.14; P = 0.245) and PVD (fully-adjusted HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.80-1.87; P = 0.355) was comparable relative to controls. Compared to other patients with HS, increased risk of all-cause mortality was observed among patients with HS and comorbid MI (HR 12.56; 95% CI 7.59-20.80; P 0.001), CVA (HR 13.33; 95% CI 7.29-24.37; P 0.001), and PVD (HR 7.11; 95% CI 2.61-19.32; P 0.001). Patients with HS are at an increased risk of MI, but not CVA and PVD. Awareness of these epidemiological findings is of importance for clinicians managing patients with HS.

The association between acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is yet to be investigated. To determine the link between AKN and HS using a large computerized health maintenance database. A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the prevalence of HS in patients with AKN and in control participants matched by age, sex, and ethnicity. A total of 2677 participants with AKN and 13,190 control participants were studied. An increased prevalence of HS was observed in the AKN group compared to the control group (1.0% vs. 0.3%, respectively; OR, 3.6; 95% CI 2.2-5.8; P 0.001), especially among those younger than 20 years (OR, 10.2; 95% CI 3.1-34.2; P 0.001), and females (OR, 15.7; 95% CI 3.1-78.8; P 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the multivariate analysis demonstrated a persistent association of AKN with HS (adjusted OR, 3.6; 95% CI 2.1-5.9; P 0.001). This study demonstrated a significant association between AKN and HS in an Israeli population. The threshold for diagnosis of HS among patients with AKN must be lowered in patients presenting with concerning symptoms. Further observational studies in other patient populations will help confirm this relationship.