Mucous membrane pemphigoid (cicatricial pemphigoid) is most dangerous due to ocular involvement. The most serious complication if untreated is:

• A Laryngeal involvement causing airway obstruction
• B Corneal scarring leading to blindness ✓
• C Oesophageal stricture causing dysphagia
• D Septicaemia from secondary skin infection

Explanation

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) involves autoantibodies targeting BP180, BP230, laminin-332, and integrin beta-4 at the BMZ of mucous membranes. Ocular involvement occurs in 60–70% of patients and is the most feared complication — progressive conjunctival scarring (symblepharon), fornix foreshortening, entropion, trichiasis, and eventual corneal pannus formation lead to permanent blindness if not aggressively treated. This necessitates early ophthalmological intervention. While laryngeal and oesophageal involvement do occur in MMP, blindness is the most important preventable complication.

Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.