Diagnosis of all bullous conditions is based on three measures:
- Clinical features – appearance of lesions, erosions and blisters, Nikolsky sign, presence or absence of scarring and distribution of lesions
- Biopsy of skin or mucous membrane, with characteristic histological features
- Direct and indirect immunofluorescence – detection of autoantibodies either in a biopsy specimen (direct) or in the patient’s serum (indirect). Indirect (circulating) antibodies are helpful in confirming the diagnosis. The enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) is helpful for diagnosis, particularly if the immunofluorescence studies are negative, and to differentiate PV from PF; in the future newer more specific ELISAs hold promise as a prognostic indicator.
The following investigations are also recommended during disease assessment and management
- Full blood count and differential,
- Blood urea and electrolytes,
- Liver function tests,
- Blood glucose,
- Antinuclear antibody (differential of pemphigus erythematosus),
- Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) levels (if azathioprine is to be used),
- Chest X-ray
- Urinalysis
- Blood pressure.
- Bone density scan (early in the course of treatment is recommended, and repeated periodically)
- PPD
- G6PD and reticulocytes if dapsone is to be used.
- Opthalmologic exam
