Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To observe the clinical effect of plasma exchange (PE) on autoimmune bullous diseases. Methods We recruited 34 patients with severe pemphigus or bullous pemphigoid and assigned them into PE group (15 cases) or regular treatment group (19 cases). Result (i) The initial, maximal and accumulated doses of corticosteroids were remarkably lower in PE group than in regular treatment group (P＜0.05). (ii) After PE, autoantibody tilter declined considerably (P＜0.05). (iii) The decreased of autoantibody titer was more in PE group than in regular treatment group (P＜0.01). (iv) Complication rate was also lower in PE group than in regular treatment group (P＜0.05). Conclusion PE lowers autoantibody titer and reduces the dosage and side effects of glucocorticoids. PE is especially suitable for those intolerable to large dose of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressives.

Key words: Plasma exchange