Coexistence of bullous pemphigoid, vitiligo, and thyroid disease: a multiple autoimmune syndrome?

Bullous pemphigoid is the most common autoimmune blistering skin diseases. The significance of the association of bullous pemphigoid with other autoimmune diseases is still unknown. There have been reports of an association with many autoimmune skin diseases. We report the simultaneous occurrence of bullous pemphigoid and thyroid disease in a 76-year-old patient who also suffered from vitiligo. It is possible that there is a common underlying pathogenic mechanism involved in the co-existence of these three diseases. The association adds to the documentation of bullous pemphigoid co-existing with other autoimmune disorders. This association is probably not fortuitous and suggests a pathogenic relationship.