Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkish Journal of Dermatology, cilt.18, sa.1, ss.16-22, 2024 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
Aim: Tetracyclines are used in bullous pemphigoid (BP) treatment because of their anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the effects of tetracyclines on blood cell counts, which serve as inflammatory markers, in patients with BP. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 patients with BP who were treated with tetracycline group antibiotics and followed up for an average duration of 3.1±1.2 months in a university hospital between January 2013 and December 2022. Demographic data, comorbidities, medications, physical examination findings, treatment responses, and hematological parameters before and after treatment were retrospectively recorded. Results: The median blood eosinophil count (450 cells μL-1; range: 0-430) and the mean blood monocyte count (660 cells μL-1; range: 300-1100) of the 50 patients with BP were significantly higher than those of the healthy age-and gender-matched Turkish population (P < 0.001; P = 0.01; respectively). At the end of the follow-up period, 30 patients were in remission, whereas relapses occurred in 20 patients. The eosinophil and monocyte cell count, eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients who were in remission were significantly lower compared to those pre-treatment (P = 0.001, P = 0.02, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between the doxycycline and tetracycline treatment groups regarding the odds of remission after treatment [odds ratio: 2 (95% confidence interval: 0.5-7.3)]. Conclusion: Higher levels of circulating monocytes indicate their role in the pathogenesis of BP. Peripheral eosinophil count, ELR, and monocyte count, along with CRP, could serve as markers for monitoring the response to tetracyclines and the risk of relapse in patients with BP.