Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease of the skin requiring skin and serum tests for a precise diagnosis.
Objectives: We analysed the sensitivity and specificity of BP-relevant parameters and the value of autoantibody titres during follow-up of BP patients.
Materials & methods: In a retrospective single-centre study, we included 200 consecutive patients with BP and 400 non-BP patients, and evaluated the test results of patients' serum and skin. In addition, we followed patients' autoantibody titres and clinical characteristics.
Results: BP180-ELISA revealed the highest sensitivity (85.0%; specificity: 93.9%), while BP230-ELISA demonstrated the lowest sensitivity (55.5%; specificity: 92.9%). Direct and indirect immunofluorescence showed comparable results for sensitivity (77.2%/72.7%) and specificity (94.9%/93.7%). The sensitivity for skin histology was 76.3% (specificity: 81.3%). Longitudinal analysis showed significant changes in autoantibody titres.
Conclusions: BP diagnostics should include serum tests for BP autoantibodies and skin immunofluorescence. Skin histology is supportive for diagnosis. Autoantibody titres are markers for disease activity.
Keywords: BP180; BP230; Bullous pemphigoid; immunofluorescence; skin histology.