Socioeconomic status of patients with pemphigus vulgaris

Background Aim: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) with painful blisters and erosions on skin and mucosa can significantly impair patient’s social life. There are few studies that have focused on the socioeconomic status (SES) of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SES of newly diagnosed PV patients who were referred to our clinic. Methods Materials: A total of 153 patients with PV participated in this case–control study. Among them, 58 patients had the disease for 1 year. The control group was 70 patients without immunobullous diseases who were selected from general clinic. A Persian questionnaire was used for evaluation of SES along with demographic characteristics and disease-related information. Results: Level indicator of the family socioeconomic was 13.10 ± 6.08 (range 6-28) and 19.32 ± 6.24 (range 9-33) in the case and control groups, respectively. The difference between these two groups was statistically significant (P ˂ 0.00100). There was an association between socioeconomic level and forbearing of some of their diagnostic or treatment process (P = 0.00900). Comparison between patients from urban and rural area showed that patients from rural area had significantly lower level of socioeconomic (P = 0.00698). Comparing new onset PV patients with those with disease 1 year did not show any significant difference (P = 0.41000) . Conclusion: SES of PV patients was significantly lower than controls, and this difference was not related to disease duration. This situation was more significant in rural patients. Hence, by recognizing these groups, we could help them more effectively. Results: Level indicator of the family socioeconomic was 13.10 ± 6.08 (range 6-28) and 19.32 ± 6.24 (range 9-33) in the case and control groups, respectively. The difference between these two groups was statistically significant (P ˂ 0.00100). There was an association between socioeconomic level and forbearing of some of their diagnostic or treatment process (P = 0.00900). Comparison between patients from urban and rural area showed that patients from rural area had significantly lower level of socioeconomic (P = 0.00698). Comparing new onset PV patients with those with disease 1 year did not show any significant difference (P = 0.41000) . Conclusion: SES of PV patients was significantly lower than controls, and this difference was not related to disease duration. This situation was more significant in rural patients. Hence, by recognizing these groups, we could help them more effectively.