Iranian Journal of

Background:  Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common autoimmune blistering disease. Corticosteroid is treatment of choice for it. Medication can affect many organs and causes metabolic difficulties which steroid- induced diabetes (SID) is one of the most important side effects. Determining risk factors not only help identify diabetes in early stages but also let continuing treatment of underlying disease.                                                

Methods:  Sixty eight patients with recently diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris were recruited. After admitting in hospital they were evaluated for positive family history of diabetes, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), FBS, HbA1c, TG and HDL. Then they followed with FBS twice per week for 8 weeks.       

Results: Ninety patients (27.9%) developed diabetes. In comparison with non-diabetic group, diabetic group had a significantly higher   HbA1c>6% (NL: 4.5-6.8) or: 8.39 (CI: 1.46- 48.05), TG > = 200 or: 6.56 (CI: 1.64-28.18) and IFG or: 3.11 (CI: 1.04-9.31). There were no differences between the groups in respect of age, positive family history, blood pressure, BMI, HDL.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that HbA1c,TG and IFG are independent risk factors so patients with pemphigus vulgris who are candidates for steroid treatment should be evaluated for HbA1c, TG and IFG before  treatment.