Book Review

Autoimmune Diseases of the Skin: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Management

N Engl J Med 2006; 354:1212-1213March 16, 2006

Article

Autoimmune Diseases of the Skin: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Management
Second edition. Edited by Michael Hertl. 469 pp., illustrated. Vienna, Springer-Verlag, 2005. $129. ISBN: 3-211-20686-8

Although they are uncommon, autoimmune diseases of the skin are important because they severely affect the quality of life. The spectrum of autoimmune diseases of the skin has traditionally included pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid, but it now encompasses a wider variety of diseases, such as alopecia areata, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, and psoriasis. Great progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of autoimmune skin diseases, creating a real need for an updated reference book. Michael Hertl has addressed this need by assembling a broad-based group of experts to write this excellent book.

Several features make this book stand apart from others in the field. The 15 chapters constitute, in effect, three parts. The first part, consisting of two chapters, addresses the pathogenesis and epidemiology of autoimmune skin diseases. The second part comprises 12 chapters that are devoted to specific diseases. The third part is made up of a single chapter about novel treatments of autoimmune skin diseases. Each chapter is clear and straightforward, and as is expected of a dermatologic textbook, there are many excellent clinical photographs, figures, and tables.

No textbook is perfect. This one has some deficiencies, mostly in the area of therapeutics. Owing to the limited number of patients with autoimmune skin disorders, well-controlled clinical trials are usually lacking. However, it would have been useful for the book to include algorithms that take the reader through the treatment of specific diseases. Despite this limitation, we rate this textbook as outstanding. It fills a need in a specialized area. We recommend it to those with an interest in immunodermatology.

Daniel Mimouni, M.D.
Rabin Medical Center, 49100 Petah–Tiqva, Israel

Grant J. Anhalt, M.D.
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287