Episode 96: Navigating Bullous Pemphigoid: Diagnosis, Management and Consensus with Dr Fiona Lovegrove

Dermatologist and researcher Fiona Lovegrove joins the JCMS Author Interviews Podcast to discuss new Canadian consensus guidance on the diagnosis and management of bullous pemphigoid.

In this episode, Dr. Kirk Barber and Dr. Lovegrove explore her Nov/Dec Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery article “Navigating Bullous Pemphigoid: Consensus Recommendations for Diagnosis and Management – A Canadian Perspective.” The conversation focuses on the rising prevalence and clinical complexity of bullous pemphigoid, evolving diagnostic tools, and practical, evidence-based strategies to achieve disease control while minimizing steroid-related harm.

Topics covered include:

• Why clinicians are seeing more bullous pemphigoid in practice
• Diagnostic approaches, including the role of serology and immunofluorescence
• The importance of rapid disease control alongside early steroid-sparing strategies
• Consensus recommendations for systemic therapies, including dupilumab, methotrexate, and mycophenolate
• Managing medically fragile, older patients and reducing glucocorticoid toxicity
• How Canadian clinical experience informs real-world treatment algorithms

This episode offers a thoughtful, clinically grounded discussion for dermatologists, trainees, and healthcare professionals managing autoimmune blistering diseases.

The article co-authors include: Maxwell Sauder, Asfandyar Mufti, Jennifer Beecker, Jan Dutz, Mark G Kirchhof, Regine Mydlarski, Kerri Purdy, Perla Lansang

Dr. Fiona Lovegrove is a London, Ontario–based dermatologist and the founder of Lovegrove Dermatology. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Western University and has a strong clinical and research focus on complex inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases. Dr. Lovegrove is widely recognized for her ability to translate emerging dermatology research into practical, patient-centred care, and for her expertise in managing medically complex dermatologic conditions.

Dr. Barber and his guests do not receive any financial reimbursement for the production of this podcast.

For more great CDA podcasts check out Dermalogues, our Residents podcast hosted by Dr Kerri Purdy.

To learn more about the work of the Canadian Dermatology Association, please visit our website at dermatology.ca

This podcast is produced by David McGuffin, and Clare and Graham McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca