# Occurrence of Bullous Pemphigoid in a Longstanding Case of Rheumatoid Arthritis in an Indian Patient: A Rare Association

## TL;DR

A 55-year-old woman with a long history of rheumatoid arthritis developed bullous pemphigoid, suggesting a rare but possible autoimmune link.

## Contribution

Highlights a rare association between rheumatoid arthritis and bullous pemphigoid in an Indian patient.

## Key findings

- A patient with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis developed bullous pemphigoid.
- The case suggests a potential autoimmune overlap between the two conditions.

## Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid is a subepidermal blistering disease that rarely involves the mucous membranes and possesses circulating antibodies against BP antigen II (BP180) and BP antigen I (BP230). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease that is characterized by joint inflammation and systemic involvement. The co-occurrence of RA, which is likewise linked to autoimmunity, with bullous pemphigoid may not be merely coincidental.

A 55-year-old female, a known case of RA for 25 years, presented to us with multiple pruritic vesiculobullous lesions. After a thorough clinical and laboratory assessment, she was diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid. This emphasizes the significance of the simultaneous occurrence of autoimmune disorders and the need for vigilant and timely identification.