S2k guidelines (consensus statement) for diagnosis and therapy of dermatitis herpetiformis initiated by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV)

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic, pruritic, gluten-induced skin disorder characterized by subepidermal granular IgA deposition and a variable degree of enteropathy identical to that seen in coeliac disease. So far, there has been no European consensus about the management of DH. Methods: The guidelines were created by small subgroups of a guideline committee consisting of 26 specialists from various medical fields and one patients’ representative. The members of the committee then discussed the guidelines and voted for the final version at two consensus meetings. The guidelines were developed under the support of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) and in collaboration with the European Dermatology Forum (EDF). Results: The guidelines summarize evidence-based and expert-based recommendations (S2 level) for the management of DH (see Appendix). Conclusion: These guidelines will improve the quality of management of DH and support dermatologists in their diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.