Infectious complications in bullous pemphigoid: An analysis of risk factors

Background Infections are common in bullous pemphigoid and contribute to significant mortality. Objectives We sought to define the spectrum of infectious complications and to identify associated risk factors in a bullous pemphigoid cohort. Design A retrospective cohort study conducted at an academic medical center. Results In all, 97 patients were included. Infectious complications occurred in 54 patients (56%) and the median duration from diagnosis to first episode of infection was 3 months. Bacteremia occurred in 14 patients (26%) and 26 of 30 deaths (87%) were attributable to infections. On univariate analysis, significant risk factors include low Karnofsky score (