This spotlight article summarises the common dermatological autoimmune / immune-mediated diseases , clinical presentations and their incidence and prevalence for easy reference
Gemma Camiña-Conforto Lluís Puig MD PhD Department of Dermatology , Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau , Barcelona , Spain
Immune-mediated and inflammatory dermatological diseases ( dermatoses ) affect the skin . There are several immunemediated dermatoses caused by direct damage of autoantibodies ( against skin antigens ) or by alterations in the immune system . 1 They significantly impact on a patient ’ s quality of life , and are associated with a number of comorbidities . 1 Worldwide prevalence of these diseases is increasing and they are a major burden of global disease . 2 Their diagnosis might require additional examinations following clinical suspicion , such as skin biopsy ( to assess histology ), direct immunofluorescence ( revealing the presence of antibodies in the skin in vivo ) and indirect immunofluorescence to assess circulating autoantibodies ). 3
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