Anna Alakoski, Camilla Pasternack, Timo Reunala, Katri Kaukinen, Heini Huhtala, Eriika Mansikka, Juha Jernman, Kaisa Hervonen, Teea Salmi
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3795

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease. Anaemia is a common finding in patients with untreated coeliac disease, but little is known about the occurrence of anaemia in those with dermatitis herpetiformis. This study investigated the prevalence of anaemia and factors associated with anaemia in 250 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, at diagnosis and one year after diagnosis. As controls, 139 patients with coeliac disease were included. Patient records were reviewed to gather baseline clinical, histological, and laboratory data. Follow-up data for patients with dermatitis herpetiformis were collected from patient records and via questionnaires or at follow-up visits. The prevalence of anaemia was 12% in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and 17% in patients with coeliac disease at diagnosis (p = 0.257). Anaemia in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis was not associated with the severity of skin symptoms or small bowel damage. The prevalence of anaemia at a 1-year follow-up had increased to 19%, but it was associated mainly with dapsone treatment.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease. Anaemia is a relatively common finding in patients with untreated coeliac disease, but little is known about the prevalence of anaemia in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. This study showed that the prevalence of anaemia at diagnosis did not differ significantly between 250 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and 139 patients with coeliac disease. Anaemia at diagnosis in dermatitis herpetiformis was not associated with the severity of skin symptoms or small bowel damage. The prevalence of anaemia at a 1-year follow-up had increased slightly, but it was associated mainly with dapsone treatment, which is generally known to have potential haematological side-effects.