PROGNOSIS OF DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS, TREATED AND UNTREATED

Abstract

SINCE dermatitis herpetiformis was recognized by Duhring¹ in 1884 and separated from other bullous diseases, few reports have been made concerning the natural course of the disease. Duhring himself was indefinite as to the course of the disease, stating that he believed some patients had recovered but that he had known of cases in which the condition endured for 5, 10 and 15 years. The disease has been generally accepted as being chronic and of unkown etiology and as running a long and erratic course. Because of this gap in our knowledge of this not uncommon dermatosis, a survey of the records of the Mayo Clinic was undertaken and follow-up information was sought by letter in an attempt to discover the natural course of the disease and the effect of treatment. MATERIAL The records of all patients who were given a clearcut diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis were examined. Patients