Clinical And Biochemical Changes During High-Dose Glucocorticoid Therapy In Patients With Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Comparative Study With Endogenous Hypercortisolism

The study compared the effects of high-dose glucocorticoid therapy in 25 patients with pemphigus vulgaris to 90 patients with endogenous hypercortisolism. It found that while glucocorticoid therapy led to a complete regression of skin lesions in pemphigus vulgaris patients, it also caused side effects similar to hypercortisolism, such as weight gain, muscle weakness, and hair loss in 44.9% of patients. These effects were more akin to those seen in corticosteroma than Cushing's disease. The study emphasizes the importance of careful management and monitoring of glucocorticoid therapy to mitigate these side effects, including regular checks on blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and potassium levels.