China Journal of Leprosy and Skin Diseases ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (5): 336-343.doi: 10.12144/zgmfskin202605336

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Bayesian model estimation of the global disease burden of bullous pemphigoid

XIE Lanning1,2,3, WANG Zhenzhen2,3, LI Yang1,2,3, LI Wenchao2,3, LIU Hong2,3, ZHANG Furen2,3   

  1. 1 School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; 2 Dermatology Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250022, China; 3 Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250022, China
  • Online:2026-05-15 Published:2026-05-11

Abstract: Objective: To quantitatively estimate the epidemiological burden of bullous pemphigoid (BP) at global, regional, and national levels. Methods: A systematic search for epidemiological studies on BP was conducted. A Bayesian hierarchical linear mixed model was constructed to estimate the incidence and number of new cases globally, regionally, and in specific countries, with a descriptive summary of prevalence. Results: A total of 55 studies met the inclusion criteria. Model estimates indicated a global BP incidence of 17.75 (10.69-25.92) per million person-years, corresponding to approximately 143 628 (86 501-209 738) new cases annually. Incidence showed marked geographic variation. Regional estimates ranged from 1.19 (0.00-4.00) per million person-years in Southeast Asia to 28.05 (17.50-41.00) per million person-years in East Asia. At the national level, the United Kingdom had the highest incidence [48.75(35.78~62.89) per million person-years], while South Africa had the lowest [1.13 (0.00-4.00) per million person-years]. The incidence in females was 1.22 times that in males [23.85 (15.50-33.17) per million person-years vs. 19.48 (11.92-28.17) per million person-years]. Incidence in adults [30.18 (21.13-40.47) per million person-years] was significantly higher than in all-age populations [14.26 (7.78-21.80) per million person-years]. Diagnostic method influenced the estimates: the incidence estimated by combined immunological and pathological diagnosis [18.65 (11.38-27.00) per million person-years] was higher than that estimated by immunological diagnosis alone [11.92 (6.00~18.86) per million person-years]. Temporally, incidence reported in studies published during 2011-2025 [18.23 (11.09~26.53) per million person-years] was higher than in those published during 1975-2010 [17.06 (10.10~25.04) per million person-years]. Prevalence also exhibited considerable geographic heterogeneity. Conclusion: Epidemiological data on BP are lacking for 85.78% of countries worldwide. The disease shows significant disparities in incidence across geography, sex, and age. Variability in diagnostic criteria affects incidence estimation, which underscores the need for a standardized global surveillance system. Furthermore, long-term trend analyses suggest a rising incidence over time.

Key words: bullous pemphigoid, epidemiology, bayesian hierarchical linear mixed-effects model