The author’s present study shows that the average levels of anti-desmoglein (DSG) 1 in the three phenotypes of pemphigus are significantly different. Furthermore, the cutaneous form had a higher average level of desmoglein 1 than 2 other forms. Also, in the patients with the mucosal form of the disease whose remission took more than 10 days, the average level of desmoglein 1 was significantly more than in the patients who needed less than 10 days for remission.

Considering the 52 patients in all 3 forms of disease, it was revealed that the level of desmoglein 3 and Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) was significantly lower in patients who had remission in less than 10 days when compared to the patients whose remission occurred in more than 10 days. As correlation coefficients showed, cutaneous PDAI and desmoglein 1, cutaneous PDAI and mucosal remission, and cutaneous remission and desmoglein 1 have positive significant relations.

In the study by Valikhani et al. in 2007, the level of anti-DSG 1 and 3 were tested in 73 pemphigus vulgaris patients and compared with the clinical symptoms of the patients [1]. The average levels of anti-DSG1 in the patients with cutaneous, mucosal, and mucocutaneous forms of the disease were 136.8 ± 28.5, 11.4 ± 3.3, and 131 ± 7.8, respectively (P < 0.001). Also, the average levels of anti-DSG1 in the patients with cutaneous, mucosal, and mucocutaneous forms of the disease were 117.3 ± 44.4, 236 ± 48 and 457.2 ± 26.2, respectively (P < 0.001). The severity of cutaneous involvement has a positive significant relation with DSG3 level (P < 0.001 and r = 0.38).

Harman et al. investigated the relationship between the levels of anti-DSG 1 and 3 autoantibodies with the severity of pemphigus vulgaris. The level of anti-DSG1 has a strong correlation with the severity of cutaneous involvement, and the level of auto-DSG3 has a strong correlation with the severity of mucosal involvement. The level of anti-DSG 1, even after adjusting for the effect of anti-DSG3, had no relationship with oral involvement [2].

In Iranian pemphigus vulgaris patients, anti-DSG 1 and 3 autoantibodies exist that result in a more severe form of the disease making the disease duration and time interval to the remission even longer.