International Bullous Diseases Group: consensus on diagnostic criteria for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
Br J Dermatol. 2017 Nov 22.
Segreteria SIDeMaST, 30 Jul 2018 10:11

Br J Dermatol. 2017 Nov 22.
Segreteria SIDeMaST, 30 Jul 2018 10:11
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.