International bullous diseases group: consensus on diagnostic criteria for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Prost-Squarcioni, C. and Caux, F. and Schmidt, E. and Jonkman, M.F. and Vassileva, S. and Kim, S.C. and Iranzo, P. and Daneshpazhooh, M. and Terra, J. and Bauer, J. and Fairley, J. and Hall, R. and Hertl, M. and Lehman, J.S. and Marinovic, B. and Patsatsi, A. and Zillikens, D. and Werth, V. and Woodley, D.T. and Murrell, D.F. (2018) International bullous diseases group: consensus on diagnostic criteria for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. British Journal of Dermatology, 179 (1). pp. 30-41. ISSN 0007-0963

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a complex autoimmune bullous disease disease with variable clinical presentations and multiple possible diagnostic tests, making an international consensus on the diagnosis of EBA essential. ----- OBJECTIVES: To obtain an international consensus on the clinical and diagnostic criteria for EBA. ----- METHODS: The International Bullous Diseases Group (IBDG) met three times to discuss the clinical and diagnostic criteria for EBA. For the final voting exercise, 22 experts from 14 different countries voted on 50 different items. When > 30% disagreed with a proposal, a discussion was held and re-voting carried out. ----- RESULTS: In total, 48 of 50 proposals achieved consensus after discussion. This included nine diagnostic criteria, which are summarized in a flow chart. The IBDG was unable to determine one procedure that would be applicable worldwide. A limitation of the study is that differential diagnosis of bullous systemic lupus erythematosus has not been addressed. ----- CONCLUSIONS: This first international consensus conference established generally agreed-upon clinical and laboratory criteria defining the clinical classification of and diagnostic testing for EBA. Holding these voting exercises in person with the possibility of discussion prior to voting has advantages in reaching consensus over Delphi exercises with remote voting.

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