Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and its components in a Brazilian sample of pemphigus patients

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris are endemic in the northeastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. They are treated mainly with systemic corticosteroids, which may provoke osteoporosis; atherosclerosis, higher blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia and abdominal obesity. These side effects of corticoids also constitute criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and each component of metabolic syndrome in Pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris groups was compared with Brazilian casuistic samples. METHODS: Data of 147 patients (pemphigus foliaceus 48.9% and pemphigus vulgaris 51.1%) were compiled from medical records regarding metabolic syndrome and its components, and included in the analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in pemphigus groups compared with the Brazilian casuistic samples. The analysis of each component of metabolic syndrome showed a higher prevalence of: higher blood pressure in male subjects with pemphigus vulgaris, and in pemphigus foliaceus in both genders; diabetes mellitus in both genders for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus; obesity in females for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus, and hypertriglyceridemia in both genders for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus groups that were statistically significant compared to the Brazilian reports. Furthermore, the study noted a higher incidence of cardiovascular events in both genders in pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris groups than in Brazilian casuistic samples. CONCLUSION: The components of metabolic syndrome are more numerous in pemphigus when compared with Brazilian casuistic samples. Future studies are necessary to assure that metabolic syndrome may be associated with pemphigus per se, including a greater casuistic sample of patients who have not taken corticoids.