Clinical data recorded at baseline were gender, age, number of daily new blisters (determined over a 3-day period), and BPDAI. BPDAI was calculated according to the International Pemphigoid Committee recommendations (9). At baseline, BPDAI was recorded. The total BPDAI computes two scores: total BPDAI activity and total BPDAI damage. The total BPDAI activity score is the arithmetic sum of the three subcomponents—cutaneous blisters/erosions, cutaneous urticaria/erythema, and mucosal blisters/erosions. The total BPDAI damage score is the arithmetic sum of the items rated regionally for damage caused by more permanent features such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, and other. BPDAI also takes into account lesion number and size thresholds and skin lesions are rated based on the regions affected. Scores can range from 0 to 360 for BPDAI total activity (maximum 240 for total skin activity and 120 for mucosal activity) and 0 to 12 for BPDAI damage, with higher scores indicating greater disease activity or damage. On the basis of previous literature (28), severe BP at baseline was defined as a total BPDAI score ≥56. BP patients who did not fulfill these criteria were classified as having moderate BP.