The Frequency and Causes of Subepidermal Gaps or Blisters and the Compliance Rate Between Clinical Diagnosis and Pathology Reports from 2015 to 2019

Skin diseases are the fourth most common cause of human illness, and blisters with different clinical manifestations make a diagnostic challenge.

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and causes of subepidermal gaps or blisters, as well as the compliance rate between the initial and final clinical diagnoses based on pathology reports.

In this cross-sectional study, pathology reports of subepidermal blisters or gaps were evaluated in the patients referred to the Razi Laboratory of Rasht from 2015 to 2019. The samples were examined by a pathologist after hematoxylin and eosin staining. The reports included demographic information, clinical differential diagnoses, final diagnosis, direct immunofluorescence findings, and salt split results. Finally, the compliance rate of clinical diagnosis with pathology reports was determined.

A total of 183 pathology reports were evaluated, 170 of which contained the final diagnosis. Females were more frequently affected by the disease, and pemphigoid bolus and lichen planus were the most prevalent final diagnoses. The compliance rate between the initial and final diagnoses was 94%. About 37.2% of the reports lacked direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and salt split, and only 42.6% of the samples had undergone DIF examination, while 20.2% had both DIF and salt split. There was no significant association between the compliance rate of the final diagnosis with age, sex, and undergoing diagnostic tests.

A high incidence of subepidermal gaps or blisters was seen in middle-aged individuals and females. The compliance rate of the initial clinical diagnosis with the final diagnosis based on pathological reports was high. Our findings emphasize the importance of histopathological examination and the complementary role of direct immunofluorescence and salt split in diagnosis.